New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-15
Aida" Italian Opera with Infusion OF Oriental
Musician Archaeological Collaboration.
BY III. Il. KREHBIEL.
Opera Nirnettes. No. :.

rights 10 the national institution but also
IN its production. Msurel the Amonasro OF
the occasion. The composer was greatly feted and
a dinner given in his honor by President Grevy
was made Grand Oficer OF the National order Of
the Legion Of Honor.
The opening scene Of the opera is laid at Mem
phis a fact which justifes the utmost grandeur in
the stage furniture and is explained by Varieties
interest in that place. II he who helped mod
realize the ancien. magnihcence of the city
described by Diodorus II the hrst capital
OF the united kingdom Of upper and lower Egypt.
the chief seat Of religion and learning. the site OF
the temples OF Ptah Isis Scraps. Phra and the
sacred bull Apis Marietta here. his first visit TO
Egypt, unearthed entire avenue OF sphinxes
leading TO the serapeum. over four thousand stat
ues reliefs and inscriptions eight gigantic scupt
ures and many other evidences ~ n supremely
great city. He chose his scenes with view 10
exhibition OF the ancient grandeur In hall OF the
Royal Palace. hanked by 4 colonnade with stat
ues and Towering shrubs and commanding a view
OF the city's palaces and temples aud the pyramids,
Radames. an Egyptian soldier and Rsmhs. a high
priest discuss report that the Ethiopians are in
revolt In the valley OF the Nile. and that Thebes is
threatened The high priest has consulted Isis and
the goddess has designated who shall be the leader
OF Egypts army against the rebels An inspiring
thousht comes into the mind OF Radames. What
II ne should be the chosen leader TO crush the re-
bsihon' be received in triumph his return? Not
for his own glory alone but for the sake of his
ioNe' Alda' whose loneliness he sings IN a romance
tCeleste Afda) of exquisite beauty and exultation
AAlherls the daughter Of the King OF Egypt (Ma-
100 gives MN no name, and avoids possible
s'oi'0aI cohphcatlons), enters. She is love with
hadames. and eager TO know what Il is that has
so hiumined his visage with 10y He tells her
or his ambition. but hestates when she asks
nm no gentler dream had tenanted his
heart Aida approaches. and the perturbation OF
,iei IoNer is observed by Amneris. who affects
love for her slave flor such Aida isl welcomes bsr
hers oils b
AIDA is the daughter of Ethiopia's King. hut sbe
"ou4o nave the princess believe that her tears are
caused by anxiety for Egypt's safety. The
f>iHs appears with Ramhs and a royal retnue and
learns from messenger that the Ethiopans have
invaded Egypt and. under their King Amonasro
are marching Thebes The King annoupcas
mat Isis has chosen Radames 10 be the leader n,
Hs!p's hosts Amneris places the royal banner
" ms eager hahd' and 10 the sounds of a patriotic
Inafch ne is led away TO the temple Of Ptah ohe
Egyptian Nulean), there TO receive his consecrat.d
SiiAor ana arms Return a victor.' shout the
hosts' and Aida, carried away by her love to,ns
III the cry but. left alone she reproaches bersef
-O -4ip4oushess IN uttering words which irnpl,, a
"ish ior the destruction OF her country her father
ana her kinsmen. (Scena: "Ritorna vincitor - We,
could she wish for the defeat and the das,b -, 80
man she loves? She prays the gods 10 nifty bar s,,
ierlhgs CNumi pieta'D. Before colossal agura
OF the god IN the temple OF Ptah while the sacred
-4es rise upward from the tripods and priestesses
move through the figures OF the sacred dance o
chant hymn TO the Creator Preserver f,yer :,
Lie ana Light. the consecrated sword is nlaces a.,
the hands Of Radames "
IT is in this scene that the local color q, NO, 90
hhed 10 externals alone, but infuses tho ,,,,v,o =
WI very skifuly and effectively in the matter
OF harmonization and orchestration Vera 80,
use OF two melodies which are saturated ,,,,L -
iahguorous spirit Of the East The first IL the o.
Ooauoh OF Ftah. ehanted by invisible priestess
10 the accompaniment Of a harm