Death of Antony

An opera in three acts that depicts the last days of Marc Antony in Egypt after his battle with Rome’s army.  It is an opera that includes ballet.  It is also the very first opera to come out of the Middle East written in Arabic (1946).  

Act One:

The curtain rises on a brilliant scene in the palace of Cleopatra at Alexandria, where a reception in honor of Marc Antony is in progress. Egyptian and Roman officers in gilded uniforms and military decorations, ladies of the court in lavish gowns, high ranking priests, courtiers and dancers all added to the gaiety and brilliance of the festivities.  In the midst of feasting and drinking, above the sounds of merriment, is heard a chorus of soldiers. Antony turns to Cleopatra and requests permission to retire for a few hours of rest before meeting the invading Roman army next day under General Octavius. Cleopatra entreats him to remain and not leave her. As the voices of the approaching soldiers draw ear, she finally gives way to Antony's plea  She hands him her sword which he holds high as he retires, followed by his officers. In a final chorus, all the assembly bid him farewell and wish him success in the forth-coming battle, acclaiming his name.

Ballet:

Fatima, a young peasant woman, enters the stage from the right and goes around serving the guests wine.  Ragab, a young peasant man, enters the stage from the left carrying a cooked lamb on a platter which he sets in front of Cleopatra.  He notices Fatima and moves towards her with his back until they bump.   A courting dance proceeds after which Fatima agrees to marry Ragab but first he must have his fortune told.  Fatima pulls Ragab by his arm.  He resists but she manages to have them arrive at the fortune teller at the front of the stage.   Fatima holds Ragab’s hand out for the fortune teller to read his palm’s life lines.  The fortune teller Gasps as she traces her finger over Ragab’s palm.  Fatima bends down to ask the fortune teller the reason for the outburst and the fortune teller whispers in her ear.  Fatima immediately starts to cry and buries her head in Ragab’s chest and they both walk off stage.

Act Two:

The scene is the desert near Alexandria where the temple of the goddess Isis may be seen in the distance.  Antony enters worn and haggard followed by the faithful Oros.  Seeing the tide of the battle turn against him, Antony had escaped with the devoted Oros at his heels.  Resting on a log, Anthony reminisces in sad and moving tones as he recalls past glories and his present defeat and humiliation.  The faithful Oros tries to offer comfort to his master.  Upon this scene appears Olympos, an avowed enemy of Antony.  When questioned about the fate of Cleopatra, Olympos lied and said that the Queen had committed suicide to evade falling into the hands of Octavius.  In grief and despair, entreats Oros to kill him, promising in return his sword, shield and uniform.  Deeply shocked at the idea, the faithful Oros stabs himself instead and falls at the feet of his master.  Now completely hopeless and despairing, Antony thrusts his sword into his breast and falls lifeless.

A group of peasants fleeing the advancing victorious armies discover the two bodies.  Shocked at the sight of the hansom Antony, they linger to mourn him.  But fearing the advancing Romans, they flee, closely followed by the enemy invaders.

The enemy soldiers soon arrive and recognize Antony who though deeply wounded, still retains a spark of life.  Unable to find the means to assist the dying man, a Roman officer commands his soldiers to carry Antony to the temple, from which the chant of the priests may be heard.

Act Three:

The scene is in the temple of the goddess of Isis.  Before the statue of Isis, Cleopatra and her ladies of the court stand in awe as they pray for the success of the army and the safety of Antony.  Beside Cleopatra stand’s Anobis, the High Priest, as well as dignitaries, courtiers and simple peasants.  All join in singing hymns of praise to the goddess imploring her mercy and aid.  Cleopatra’s voice rises in an invocation to Isis, after which she turns to Anobis and expresses her fears and apprehension of an impending calamity.  A great commotion is heard outside, as the Roman soldiers enter carrying the seemingly dead body of Antony.  Cleopatra rushes toward him in great anguish and entreats Anobis to use his knowledge, his medical skill and magic powers to save the dying man.  Though faint and fighting for breath, Antony is helped to a sitting position.  He bids farewell to his beloved Cleopatra in a tender aria then falls back lifeless.  Overcome by grief and sorrow, Cleopatra mourns Antony with deep emotions and passionate phrases but the kind and gentle Anobis reminds Cleopatra of her exalted position as Queen.

So, in complete dignity and commanding tones, Cleopatra orders the Roman soldiers standing guard by the body of Antony to lay his sword in his hands and to crown his head with laurel leaves.  Cleopatra sings her farewell to Antony (the aria “The Lament of Cleopatra”).  Anobis then extends his hand to the Queen and persuades her to seek comfort and strength in prayer.  Cleopatra accepts his offer of consolation, while the chant of the priests rises in supplication to Isis.

The Composer

Hassan Ahmed Rasheed

(1896-1969)

(Oxford Music Online Biography)

Hassan Ahmed Rasheed was born on July 10th 1896. He received his primary education at Nasria School, Cairo, Egypt. At the age of 14, he was sent to England where he continued his studies at Ripon Grammar School. In 1917 he received his Bachelors of Science from Armstrong College at the University of Durham in the field of Agriculture.

At the same time, he studied music, received a diploma from the Queen’s College of Music and became an accomplished violinist playing with a number of outstanding orchestras in England. He also had a rich baritone voice that he used to sing typical Arab and European songs. 

He returned to Egypt in 1918. In 1924 he established a radio broadcasting station in his house near Said Zaghlul district of Cairo which he used to broadcast music to the Cairo, Egypt limited audience since there were very few radios at that time.  He also setup a shortwave radio for international stations and invited schools and other organizations to come and listen.  

In 1942 he founded the Egyptian Amateur Music Association with Dr. Ali Mustafa Musharafa (Dean of the faculty of Science at Cairo University) and other friends. A good baritone with a voice of exceptional quality and beauty of expression Hassan Ahmed Rasheed took part in all the recitals of the association especially in its early years. The programs then were mostly composed of classical songs of great composers translated into the Arabic language.

It was left to him to work on the actual translations because of his knowledge of music and his ability to sing and play. The late Kamil Kilani (poet and writer) put the final touches to the translated songs.

In 1946 he completed his one great composition, The Death of Anthony, which is adopted from the play, The Death of Cleopatra, by Ahmed Showky. He also composed a number of songs. The texts were chosen from various poets.

He continued to serve the Egyptian Amateur Music Association as treasurer then as vice president until 1957 in which year he was elected president.

He remained in office until 1968 when he resigned because of ill health. He passed away on May 25th 1969.