Attila (Opera)

About

Verdi's Atilla is loosely based on the story of Attila the Hun and his love Odabella, an enemy woman who ultimately was responsible for his death. Although Attila is bloodthirsty and cruel, his death invokes a sadness and sympathy for his betrayal by the woman he loved. At the same time, Odabella's defeat of the infamous leader brings about a sense of happiness and accomplishment. The opera first premiered in 1846, to great acclaim, and it remains a prominent historical opera.