Tune of the Day: Grand March
Aida is set in ancient Egypt. Its plot centers around Rhadames, a captain in the Egyptian guard, and two women, Aida and Amneris. Amneris is the daughter of the Pharaoh, the leader of Egypt; Aida is a slave. Unknown to others is the fact that she is also the daughter of the King of Ethiopia. During the first act, we discover that while Rhadames and Aida are in love, Amneris also loves the captain. Meanwhile, the countries of Egypt and Ethiopia go to war, and Rhadames is chosen to lead the Egyptian army. He defeats the enemy and returns as a conquering hero. However, Aida secretly mourns for her native country and her father, who has been taken prisoner.
In the second act of the opera, Egypt’s victory is celebrated by a grand parade, for which the “Grand March” (or “Triumphal March”) is performed. Musicians playing long trumpets lead the Egyptian troops into the city, while the booty and slaves they have captured in the war with Ethiopia are displayed.