Page "Giuseppe Verdi" Paragraph 20

Verdi's grand opera, Aida, is sometimes thought to have been commissioned for the celebration of the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, but, according to one major critic, Verdi turned down the Khedive's invitation to write an " ode " for the new opera house he was planning to inaugurate as part of the canal opening festivities.

The opera house actually opened with a production of Rigoletto.

Later in 1869 / 70, the organizers again approached Verdi ( this time with the idea of writing an opera ), but he again turned them down.

When they warned him that they would ask Charles Gounod instead and then threatened to engage Richard Wagner's services, Verdi began to show considerable interest, and agreements were signed in June 1870.