AIDA, with music by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) and a libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, is a staple of the operatic repertoire.  The story, set in the Old Kingdom of Egypt, tells of tragic love challenged by jealousy and loyalty to country and family.  Commissioned by Cairo�s Khedivial Opera House, it was premiered there on December 24th, 1871, in a performance conducted by Giovanni Bottesini, although, due to a limited audience, Verdi considered the performance at La Scala in Milan on February 8th, 1872 to be the true premiere. The Prelude (Vorspiel) to the opera begins gently, swells to a powerful peak before returning to the quiet calm of the beginning. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).