- Title: EGYPT: Verdi's Aida opera show staged at Giza pyramids
- Date: 14th October 2010
- Summary: VARIOUS OF SINGERS AND OTHER PERFORMERS ON STAGE IN FRONT OF PYRAMID RAMFIS SINGING AS RAMADES STANDS NEXT TO HIM ON STAGE
- Embargoed: 29th October 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Egypt
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVA4MYIC3PIS8WFK69S1NXFIHI51
- Story Text: For the first time in almost a decade the ancient-Egypt themed opera, Aida, is being staged in front of the spectacular backdrop of the Sphinx and Giza pyramids, with an all-Egyptian cast performing Verdi's masterpiece about the love affair between a captured Ethiopian princess and an Egyptian military commander.
The Opera that was commissioned of Giuseppe Verdi by the Khedive Ismail Pasha, features lavish sets depicting ancient Egyptian palaces and temples and dozens of authentically attired extras, was first performed at the Cairo Opera House in 1871.
Nearly 140 years later the production is sure to continue astonishing audiences as the tragic story of Aida and Ramades unfolds over the next four nights onstage at the Giza plateau.
Aida, originally written by librettist Antonio Ghislanzoni, is being directed by Abdul Moneim Kamel, the director of the Egyptian opera.
The opera tells the story of Princess Aida, who is taken captive by the Egyptian army and, while living incognito in the Egyptian court, falls in love with the warrior Ramades, who secretly shares her feelings.
Aida's rival for Ramades' heart is Pharaoh's daughter, Amneris, who in her frustration at her unrequited love for Ramades, schemes to get Aida to reveal her secret so she can undermine her and win over the object of her affection.
Rida al-Wakeel, who portrays the Egyptian High Priest, Ramfis, says that the staging of Aida in front of the Sphinx and Pyramids for the first time since 2002 is sure to delight audiences.
"Of course there is wonder. When the audience attends the performance they really enjoy it because they are watching a performance in the natural environment in which the real story could have taken place in actuality," he said.
While it is commonly believed that Aida was commissioned to commemorate the opening of the Suez Canal, this is a point of some debate, as the opera was first performed two years after the Canal opened in 1869.
Marcello Mutadelli, the conductor of the Cairo Opera, says that being able to perform Aida in such an important setting has been an inspiration for the production.
"It's something really amazing and inspires me so much, the air, you can feel the air from the Nile, and you have the magic windows on the pyramid and on the Sphnix. It's something extremely… I don't know, I don't have words to describe, honestly," he said.
Central to the plot of Aida is the conflict for both Aida and Ramades over their love for each other and their loyalty to their respective countries. The Ethiopian King, Amonasro, eventually invades Egypt to rescue the princess, but he is himself captured by the army led by Ramades. Amonasro then manipulates his daughter into tricking Aida into getting Ramades to reveal the secret location of the Egyptian army, and Ramades is then discovered and sentenced to death for treason by the High Priest Ramfis.
Ramades accepts his fate and takes comfort in the hope that Aida has fled to safety back in Ethiopia. But as he is led into the tomb where he is to be buried alive, he hears her sigh in the darkness, and the two star-crossed lovers are united again, to share their tragic fate.
Rida al-Wakeel says that performing in the open air is always a challenge, but the setting more than makes up for the challenge.
"Singing in the open air is always difficult, because, of course, because the microphones are a big part of the success of your work, but the wonder of this place lifts the burden of these concerns, and makes us very happy whenever we put on a performance at the pyramids," he said.
With Egyptians enjoying a four day holiday weekend in commemoration of the October 1973 Arab-Israeli war, attendance at the four day performance of Aida at the pyramids looks sure to be high, as this unique opera so deeply rooted in Egyptian history finally returns to the most impressive and authentic stage possible. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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