Aida

1

• Aida
• A Transformation
• from Opera to Musical

Verdis AIDA
Elton John and Tim Rices AIDA
Jessica Carter Jon Chang Julie Len Aaron Meyer
2
Overview

• Love triangle between Aida, Radames, and Amneris
• Radames unintentionally betrays his country out
  of love for Aida
• Radames is sentenced to entombment
• Aida secretly hides herself in the grave to die
  with Radames

3
Plot

• Verdis Opera
• Tragic
• Serious
• Emphasis on religion
• Broadway Musical
• Romanticized
• Light-hearted and Comical
• Written for a larger audience

4
Aida and Radames find each other in a museum
5
Characters
Opera Musical
Amneris Jealous, paranoid, obsessive Threatens, tricks Violent, villanous Slightly sympathetic Clothes Clueless until end
Aida More submissive Doesnt vocalize agenda Independent Courageous
Radames Chosen by gods to lead battle against Ethiopia Prevents genocide Light-hearted Admires Aidas strength Prevents genocide
6
Other Characters

• Musicals Twists
• Zoser- evil poisons Pharaoh
• Mereb -humor
• Amonasro-not as prominent

• Opera
• Preist-wants to execute slaves

7
Music

• Opera
• traditional classical music
• Full orchestra with acoustic instruments
• Big chorus
• Musical
• Simple melodies, chords and harmonies
• Rock band, with few orchestral instruments
• (3 keyboards, bass, guitar, drums, percussion,
  oboe, flute, cello, violin, French horn)
• The use of electronic instruments and sounds
• Use of reprises
• Use of re-occurring themes and motifs in the
  orchestrations by Paul Bogaev and Steve Margoshes

8
Sets and Costumes

• Opera
• Filmed at an actual production at the
  Metropolitan Opera House
• Simple sets and costumes not many changes

9
Sets
Aida gives the Nubians hope and courage in Dance
of the Robe
10
Sets
Aida, Radames, and Amneris The Love Triangle
11
Conclusion

• Theme of opera tragic love
• Theme of musical fairy-tale love
• Transformation
• Verdis opera version of Aida is transformed by
  Elton John to a musical made for popular culture,
  making the story more entertaining and up-lifting.