In Act III, though, Verdi subverts the intimacy of the duet between Aida and Radames by using it to catalyse the moment of treachery when Aida is forced by her father to manipulate Radames into revealing his Egyptian battle plan. Instead of representing the true union of their love, this duet thus reminds us of the forces which conspire to break apart the lovers and will lead to Aida’s inevitable betrayal of Radames. A typical romantic opera form, the musical structure and language of a duet is meant to showcase the unity between two voices and their characters. Aida’s aria, “Oh dearest country never to see my home” which she longs for her lost homeland as she is enslaved in Egypt, is a prime example which demonstrates Verdi’s skills for creating such tender moments.Īida and Radames express their love for one another another private musical form – the duet. In contrast to the public scenes of war and celebration, Verdi focuses the audience’s attention on the personal heartbreak for both these women in moments where they sing intimate music that highlights their inner torment. The Triumphal March takes part in Act II when Egypts victory is. Yet the story of Aida is also very private tale of disappointed love and betrayal, with two women, Aida and Amneris, loving the same man, Radames. Verdis brilliant opera Aida contains some of the most stirring music ever written. Verdi’s sound world in these moments aptly conveys the bombastic public world of the Egyptian army and court, where personal feelings seem to have no power or place.

In contrast, a deep sonorous bass voice is used to convey the brutality of the authoritarian priests symbolised in the character of Ramfis, the chief priest. In Act 2, an offstage female chorus of priestesses worship the Egyptian God of craftsmen, Phta in the number ‘O Mighty Phta’, their veiled presence giving an otherworldly mystery and solemnity to the ritualistic processes that govern the everyday lives of the people. As in many of Verdi’s operas, different types of orchestral music also serves to bring to life the power of hierarchy and religious authority.

Aida victory march