Verdi’s Aida: A Record of the Life of the Opera on And Off the Stage

'Verdi was asked to compose a work to premiere in the Cairo Opera House. Although Verdi was uninterested in the project at first, persistence on the part of the khedive as well as a tempting plot line written by Mariette Bey drew him in. Much mystery still surrounds the opera's inception. This book explores that mystery'--Provided by publisher.