PreTeena by Allison Barrows for June 24, 2018

Stars a form of Divination mystical….

They should be doing Philip Glass’s “Einstein on the Beach”. an actual American Opera.

Beats listening to 27 takes of “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess.”

Set to the tune of John Cage’s 4′33″, as performed by Marcel Marceau.

Just for your edification:

Celeste Aida English Translation

If only I were that warrior!

If only my dream might come true!

An army of brave men with me as their leader

And victory and the applause of all Memphis!

And to you, my sweet Aida,

To return crowned with laurels,

To tell you: for you, I have fought,

For you, I have conquered!

Heavenly Aida, divine form,

Mystical garland of light and flowers,

You are queen of my thoughts,

You are the splendor of my life.

I want to give you back your beautiful sky,

The sweet breezes of your native land,

To place a royal garland on your hair,

To raise you a throne next to the sun.

Historical Summary of Verdi’s Aida

Giuseppe Verdi was paid a large sum of money by the Khedive of Egypt, Isma’il Pasha, to compose an opera to celebrate the opening of the Khedivial Opera House, an 850 seat venue that was constructed to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal.

Verdi accepted the offer and chose Antonio Ghislanzoni as his librettist. Verdi wrote the music, but due to the Siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, the opera’s premiere was delayed until the following year (December 24, 1871). Instead, a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto took place at the opera house’s opening on November 1, 1869

It works for me.