Lesson Overview:

Why have the Middle East and North Africa been torn by strife for centuries? This lesson uses the opera Aida and the history of the Middle East and Africa to open discussions about the current crisis in the Middle East. It provides a connection between music (opera), history, and current issues. Additionally, there is a geography lesson on the Middle East and Africa, and a music lesson on operatic voices and the history of opera.

Length of Lesson:

Nine 45-minute class periods

Instructional Objectives:

Students will:

• develop a working definition of opera and operatic voices.
• identify and locate significant geographical features/areas in North Africa.
• identify issues relating to the Middle East.
• interpret the story of Aida as it relates to the current crisis in the Middle East.
• listen for and identify various singing voices, as relates to range, timbre and interpretation of an operatic role.

Instructional Plan:

Distribute the Vocabulary Handout. Using transparencies of North Africa and the Middle East, and a World History textbook, have the students locate ancient Egypt and Ethiopia. Students could also go to the National Geographic Explorers Hall: Expeditions Atlas. Then have the students locate Egypt and Ethiopia in the modern world. Students should label the countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

Point out such geographical features as the Nile River, the cataracts, Sahara Desert, Libyan Desert, Arabian Desert, Nile Delta. Discuss with students how the Nile River and the deserts might shape life in Ancient Egypt, Ethiopia, and Egypt today.

Divide students into groups and assign each group one of the following countries to research: Ancient Egypt, Ethiopia, Modern Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Sudan, Jordan, Iraq, Syria. Students are to find the religion or religions, languages spoken, and ethnic groups found in each country.

Each group will report back to the class and discuss how the cultural and ethnic diversity of the region might impact the people. Go to the following National Geographic.com Search Engine and type in the country. You will have many different sites to explore for information.

Introduce the opera Aida. Aida is set in ancient times when Egypt and Ethiopia were competing kingdoms. It is a love triangle of three people caught between loyalty to their families and country, and love for each other. (See the Synopsis of Aida Handout). (Optional: If there is time, use the Brief History of Ancient Egypt Handout.) After discussing the story and introducing the characters, discuss operatic voices using the Opera Voices Handout and their relation to the characters in Aida. Using the CD, introduce and play one or more arias, following the translations as they sing. (Optional: If there is time, use the Brief History of Opera Handout to discuss the history of this unique art form.)

Discuss the implications of nationalism and its impact on individuals as in the story of Aida, as it is still played out all over the world today. This lesson concentrates on the Middle East. After studying the opera from a musical viewpoint the class will investigate what similar issues of nationalism and tribalism exist in Egypt and the Middle East today. Allow time for group writing, rehearsal, and presentation of final project.

Final Project

In work groups, research the political situation in the Middle East today. Assign individual areas of research to each of the members of your group, then come together to create a 2-5 minute scene acted by at least two characters. The dialogue and setting of the scene must reflect some aspect of the religious or political issues that are currently causing conflict for any two Middle Eastern countries. Each scene must include either a poem or song lyric for one or more of the characters to perform. If it is a song lyric, try to write a melody to go with your lyrics. If you are very musically gifted, set the scene to music, as it would be in an opera.

Assessment:

The Assessment Rubric can be adjusted for the needs of each individual classroom. Teachers should design their own point system.

Extensions:

Discuss tribalism, nationalism, religious exclusivity. Find examples of ways in which ancient tribalism in the Middle East affects politics in the modern world.

Sources:

Media

• A recording of Aida

Note: Some experts recommend a reissue of a London/Decca recording with George Solti conducting, Leontyne Price as Aida, Jon Vickers as Radames, Robert Merrill as King of Egypt, and Rita Gore as Amneris. There are many recordings to choose from, and the most familiar arias are also available on recital or concert recordings by Leontyne Price, Placido Domingo, etc.

• A&E Home Video Wonders of Ancient Egypt: Hieroglyphs A&E Home Video, 2001. DVD.
• ABC News. ABC NEWS: America Held Hostage - The Iran Crisis ABC News, 1989. Videocassette.
• Home Vision Entertainment. The Quest for Immortality in Ancient Egypt Time Life's Lost Civilizations, 2002. Videocassette.
• National Geographic. National Geographic - Afghanistan Revealed National Geographic, 2001. Videocassette.
• National Geographic. National Geographic's Egypt: Quest for Eternity National Geographic, 1982. Videocassette.
• Turner Home Entertainment. CNN: A Chance For Peace - A Sign of Hope in the Middle East Turner Home Entertainment, 1993. Videocassette.

Authors:

• Dr. MJ Ayers and Paula Segal, Educators
  Duke Ellington School of the Arts
  Washington, D.C.