French Chemist and Microbiologist who pioneered the theory that germs cause disease. He is known for Pasteur Effect.
Louis Pasteur (December 27, 1822 – September 28, 1895) was born in Dole, France. He came from a family of tanners. As a child, it was apparent to his teachers that he was academically inclined. He was also a keen artist.
At 21, Pasteur was admitted to the fine Parisian training college, the École Normale Supérieure. He became a master of science in 1845. Two years later, he presented a thesis on crystallography earning him a doctorate.
His prestigious academic background and ground-breaking research into physical chemistry immediately gained him a professorship in the science faculty at the University of Strasbourg where he met his future wife, Marie Laurent, the daughter of the university rector. They were married in 1849 and had five children.
Verdi opera Aida is first performed in Cairo's Khedival Theater, on December 24, 1871.
Aida is a four-act melodrama opera. Composed by Giuseppe Verdi (October 9/10, 1813 – January 27, 1901), libretto is written by Antonio Ghislanzoni, after a scenario by French Auguste Mariette and a French prose version by Camille du Locle. It was composed by Verdi between 1870-1871. The first performance was on December 24, 1871, Opera House, Cairo, Italy, and on February 8, 1872, in La Scala, Milan.
One of the most famous opera by Verdi, Aida was commissioned by Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt. Production was delayed by the Franco-Prussian war and Giuseppe Verdi donated a portion of his considerable fee to the victims of the siege of Paris. Today, Aida is as popular as ever all over the world, including many recordings. Act one has some famous and best-loved scenes. Verdi did not attend this premiere.
Set in Ancient Egypt, opera Aida is a timeless tragic tale of forbidden love and betrayal against the backdrop of war. The story is a roller coaster of emotions told through Verdi's powerful music. It follows the struggle of the Ethiopian princess Aida held captive as a slave in ancient Egypt, in love with a young Egyptian warrior, General Radamès, and he with her. They need to decide between love or loyalty to their countries.
ACT 1
Outside of the royal palace near Memphis, Egypt's High priest Ramfis informs Radames, a young Egyptian warrior, that armies from Ethiopia are making their way towards the Nile valley. Radames expresses his hope of being appointed the commander of Egypt's army where he can lead his troops to
victory, as well as rescue Aida, his Ethiopian lover captured by Egyptian troops. He is unaware, as well as the rest of Egypt, that Aida is the daughter of Amonasro, Ethiopia's king. Since her capture, Aida has served as a
slave to the Egyptian princess, Amneris, who is in love with Radames, but senses he is in love with another woman. It isn't long before Amneris figures out who the mystery woman is when she sees the longing glances shared between him and Aida. Amneris
maintains her composure from deep-rooted jealousy. She continues to keep Aida as her slave.
The king of Egypt arrives and announces that Ramfis' information was correct and that Ethiopian troops, lead by the King of Ethiopia himself, have already made their way into Thebes. The king appoints Radames as
the leader of the army while simultaneously declaring war on Ethiopia. A joyful Radames makes way to the temple to complete his
coronation ritual. Left alone in the hall, Aida becomes distraught as she is forced to choose between her Egyptian lover and her father and country.
ACT 2
Radames and his troops return from
Thebes after their victorious battle. Inside Amneris' chambers, she has her slaves entertain. Doubting her suspicions of Aida and Radames, she decides to test Aida. She dismisses all of her slaves except for Aida and tells her that
Radames has died in battle. Aida breaks down into tears who confesses her love for Radames, which instantly infuriates Amneris, who vows revenge.
The triumphant Radames makes his return with his army to Memphis, marching through the
city while the captured Ethiopians trail behind. Aida
sees her captured father and rushes to his side. He makes her promise
not to reveal their true identities.
The King of Egypt, so delighted with Radames' performance, honors him by
granting him anything he asks for. Before Radames can make his request,
Amonasro declares that the King of Ethiopia was killed in battle and
asks the Egyptian king to set them free.However, the Egyptians join in chant asking for the death of the Ethiopians and
the King grants their desires. In order to save his lover's life,
Radames cashes in on the King's generosity and asks him to spare their
lives. The King happily grants him his request and declares Radames his
successor and future husband of Princess Amneris. Aida and her father
are taken into custody to prevent any Ethiopian revolt.
ACT 3
Preparations are made for the upcoming wedding between Radames and
Amneris. Aida waits for Radames outside of the temple in a place previously
agreed upon. Amonasro pressures her
daughter Aida to find out where the Egyptian army is being kept. Feeling homesick, she agrees to her father's wishes. When Radames comes out of the temple to meet Aida, Amonrasro hides and eavesdrops on their
conversation. After their lovers talk about their future lives
together, Aida asks Radames where the army is located.
Amonasro comes out of hiding and reveals his identity to Radames just as Amneris and the High Priest come out of the temple. Before Aida and Amonasro escape, Aida pleads for Radames to follow them but instead,
Radames submits himself as a traitor to Amneris and the High Priest.
ACT 4
Amneris is frustrated with Radames but pleads with him to deny his self-accusations. Full of pride and love for his country, he does not. He accepts his punishment but is happy to know that Aida and her father have escaped. This hurts Amneris even more. She tells him that she will save him if he renounces his love for Aida, but again, he refuses. The High Priest and
his court condemn Radames to death by being buried alive. Amneris begs for their mercy, but they do not budge.
Radames is taken to the lowest level in the temple, sealed away into a dark tomb. Moments after being locked away, he hears someone breathing in a dark corner. It is Aida. She confesses her love for him and has chosen to die with him. The two embrace as Amneris weeps above them.
Triumphal March from Verdi Opera Aida
Verdi: Aïda - San Francisco Opera (starring Luciano Pavarotti)
Video Credit:
Triumphal March from Aida, uploaded by ClaudioDavidT. Accessed, Dec 26, 2011. Triumphal March from Aida by Giuseppe Verdi ; Metropolitan Opera House(1989)
The earliest printed book was the Diamond Sutra produced in China in 868 CE, although printing had started before that time. The earliest writing was etched into clay tablets with a chisel or stylus or into stone, bone, or wood. Paper first appeared as papyrus, made by Egyptians from the stems of the grass like plant, then later as untanned animal skins the Greeks called parchment. Finally, it’s the paper we know today, invented in China in about 10 CE.
Gutenberg Printing Invention
In 1450, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, with moveable type. It played a key role in the development of the Renaissance, Reformation, the Age of Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution and laid the material basis for the modern knowledge-based economy and the spread of learning to the masses.
The use of movable type was a marked improvement on the handwritten manuscript, which was the existing method of book production in Europe, and upon woodblock printing, and revolutionized European book-making. Gutenberg's printing technology spread rapidly throughout Europe and later the world.
This day, on December 8, 1849, the 3-act opera Luisa Miller by Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi premieres in Teatro San Carlo, Naples. It is written to an Italian libretto by Salvadore Cammarano, based on a German play Kabale und Liebe by writer Friedrich von Schiller.
St. Marx Cemetery, in Vienna, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had been buried.
Historic graveyard in Vienna (St. Marxer Friedhof), the exact position is unknown. It's now used as a park for recreation, jogging, and tourist
attraction.
There were three busloads of Japanese tourists when I was last there. My soliloquy ended upon their arrival with all the excitement, and all I heard was the euphoric "Mozart!" "Mozart!".
Background music is Mozart's famous last unfinished work, Mozart Requiem, completed by his student and friend Franz Xaver Suessmayr.
Louis Pasteur (December 27, 1822 – September 28, 1895) was born in Dole, France. He came from a family of tanners. As a child, it was apparent to his teachers that he was academically inclined. He was also a keen artist.
Louis Pasteur (December 27, 1822 – September 28, 1895) was born in Dole, France. He came from a family of tanners. As a child, it was apparent to his teachers that he was academically inclined. He was also a keen artist.
