AIDA, with music by Giuseppe Verdi 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 jeolousy 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.  3(3rd dPicc).2+EH.2+BCl.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(2-3): Hp: Str (4-4-3-3-3): Onstage/Banda (29 Winds, Brass, Perc, Hp): Vocal soli (8 roles, SSATTBBB): Chorus.