Verdi, Auber and the Aida-type

Abstract This article presents a literary genealogy of the titular character in Verdi's Aida. While scholars have explored opera's resonances with late nineteenth-century conceptions Orientalism, Blackness and imagined ‘East’, Aida's etymology traits reflect much broader archetype that extends back century from its 1871 premiere. Her name is not Egyptian or Ethiopian but Greek, her backstory was modelled on characters named ‘Haidée’ ‘Haydée’ who appeared works by Lord Byron Alexandre Dumas fils , as well celebrated opéra comique Daniel Auber. Aida thus an assemblage ready-made archetypes scenarios rather than author's sui generis depiction non-Western culture. An intertextual reading offers perspective alterity nineteenth century, which eschewed geographical specificity for archetypes, quotations allusions. It also another way to confront claims authenticity made current-day defenders brownface work.