“Su! Del Nilo al sacro lido”. Note sulla realtà ed i fraintendimenti di Aida

The genesis of Aida in 1871 involved the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette and the Italian musician Giuseppe Verdi, together with other protagonists: the plot of the opera mixes up and is based on historical events and fictions that are necessarily reflected in the scenes and the musical choices. Edward Said’s analysis of Verdi’s opera strongly affected the meaning and aim of Aida debating the ideal (European and Orientalized) image of ancient Egypt that the opera fosters. Based on the letters and documents, the present study discloses the intricacy of the creation of Aida and disputes the arbitrary judgements of Said.