AIDA – Gran Finale Secondo

AIDA is one of the most famous operas written by Giuseppe Verdi. The premiere took place in Cairo on 24 December 1871. Verdi had completed the pompous opera in „pure Egyptian style“ a year earlier, but the costumes and props were locked up in besieged Paris during the Franco-German War. The opera is set in the time of the pharaohs and is about the Ethiopian princess Aida, who lives in Egypt as a hostage. She is in love with the Egyptian army commander Radames. Both are caught between their love for each other and their loyalty to their homeland. After a successful battle against the army of Aida’s father, Radames is supposed to marry the Pharaoh’s daughter and later become King of Egypt himself. After some intrigues and lies, Radames is arrested for treason. He is buried alive in an underground prison where he discovers that Aida has snuck into the vault to die united with her beloved. With ”AIDA - Gran Finale Secondo”, Stefan Schwalgin has arranged two of the opera’s most famous musical passages for wind orchestra. The “Triumphal March” is heard when Radames returns from the victorious raid against the Ethiopians. At the time, special “Aida” trumpets were developed for this piece. They were modelled like ancient Egyptian fanfare trumpets and had a particularly radiant, penetrating sound. The anthem with its large chorus once again expresses all the feelings of the characters involved.