Imperialism

Question 1

Summarise how you could write an essay about imperialism in Aida

Answer 1

Despite lack of Italian political imperialism, still shows musical imperialism.

1. Orientalist
   a. Said
   b. Actually Ethiopians: Egyptian audience’s race views
   c. Women
2. Ancient Egypt=Modern Egypt
   a. Egyptian designs for Sudan/Ethiopia
   b. Equating modern Egypt with Europeans (benefitting Egypt)
   c. Europeanizing project (imposition)
3. Pro-Risorgimento

Question 2

How did Aida reflect the contemporary political situation in Africa?

Answer 2

• Imperialist designs of Khedive Ismail over Sudan/Ethiopia, e.g. 1801 suppression of Sudanese slave rebellion
• Against Said: he ignores the place of Aida in Egyptian society
• Army organisation etc

Question 3

How did Aida help Khedive Ismail’s plans for Egypt?

Answer 3

• Series of reforms, building up army, imposing regime of self-discipline through strict surveillance (parallels with Ramades turning himself in)
• Can be seen as propaganda for new reforms
• Puts Egypt on a level with Europeans – Khedive wanted to model Cairo on European cities (BUT…shows how Europeanizing project is intertwined in imperial European project…see more)

Question 4

How does Aida showcase the imposition of European imperialism on Egypt?

Answer 4

• Khedive had strong European links
• Italian opera/composer/conductor, French Grand Style – imposed on Egypt especially at time of significance (new opera house, Suez canal etc) – sidelines true Egyptian heritage/talent
• Cairo modernised with Paris as model
• Opera house modelled on Paris Opéra – placed at the centre of the city, literally dividing Eastern and Western sections
• Khedive even wanted Act II triumphal march as national anthem

Question 5

How does Aida showcase Verdi’s own political leanings?

Answer 5

• Ralph Locke considers this – Egyptians as aggressors
• Verdi’s sympathies in the opera are with the Ethiopians
• Egypt therefore as Austro-Hungary or Napoleonic France
• Priestly class reflects Catholics oppressing Risorgimento uprisings within Austro-Hungary

Question 6

What was Elgar’s stance on British imperialism?

Answer 6

• Was in favour of the empire (default position of most people)
• Worked for royalty with coronation for George V

Question 7

What was the Crown of India?

Answer 7

Crown of India, 1912 Masque

• Commissioned for music hall, the Coliseum: was more willing/relaxed to compose Crown of India because it was for the music hall, commercialism.
• Intended to be reflection of the ceremonial taking place in India in 1911 during first visit of George V and Queen Mary in Delhi (military procession).

Question 8

How does the Crown of India showcase British imperialist themes

Answer 8

• Had to involve dialogue between East and West
• British elements represented by men (St George) and Eastern elements by women (India itself portrayed by a woman)
• Propagandising empire
• Said (1995): ‘European culture gained strength and identity by setting itself off against the Orient as a sort of surrogate’.
• Musically, the east is represented with feminised music e.g. Dance of the Nautch Girls, arabesque with gentle music, no martial rhythms, trills, lots of detail – typecasting. Even the march of the Mogul Emperors is in 3/2 (so not a march – more a polonaise).

Question 9

Does the Crown of India reveal anything else about Elgar?

Answer 9

• Corissa Gould (2006) argues that the Indian colonial subject allowed Elgar to write feminised music, which he preferred (but also maybe feared?)