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Product Description
2CD W/Leontyne Price, Rita Gorr, Jon Vickers, Robert Merril
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
74 of 76 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
A non-Italian 'Aida' that ranks head and shoulders above many of its competitors, this is a performance to cherish. Solti's grip on the orchestra is total and he presents an atmospheric and urgent interpretation of the opera. The end of Act 1 scene 2 is electric with religious fervour.There, Vickers rides the full orchestra with ease and elsewhere is a committed and moving Radames - not everyone's favourite tenor maybe but an artist of blazing intensity. Price builds her part through mostly vocal means, and what a voice it was - controlled and secure throughout its range with a distinctive smoky timbre that is perfectly appropriate to the role. Gorr is excellent also as the vengeful Amneris though I miss the use of chest register to emphasis the drama. Merrill is his usual self - rich toned and rather faceless. He also spoils a vital line in the Nile scene by snatching a breath in the wrong place. Nearly perfect and as good as we have any right to expect. Buy it!
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By M. E. OUTLAW
Format:Audio CD
From the very first notes of this `Aida', one feels the hand of a master on the baton. Solti sees the grand picture of Verdi's imagination in this opera and presents it to us with superb skill and control. Like several of Verdi's operas, `Aida' presents personal relationships against a background of political problems and Solti manages both the intimate personal dialogue and the grand scenes of military triumph with equal understanding.
This recording is exceptionally well cast, with very competent singers in the secondary roles. Giorgio Tozzi makes a compelling Ramfis and Plinio Ciabassi and Mietta Sighele do well with the rather limited material they have as the King and the High Priestess.
The main strength of the performance, however, lies, as it must, in the four principals. I always regret the brevity of the role of Amonasro, especially when it is sung by a baritone of the quality of Robert Merrill. He is never less than highly competent and at his best, as he is in `Ma tu Re, tu signore possente', he is magnificent. Rita Gorr is an affecting Amneris and brings out the frustration and disappointment of the princess. She has all the notes for this demanding role and, in my view, her vibrato underlines the vulnerability which underlies Amneris's forcefulness.
Jon Vickers, always a powerful performer, brings out the essential virility of Radames in the early scenes and gives us a particularly effective `Celeste Aida', He also succeeds in conveying his character's distress and shame when he realises that his love for Aida has led him to betray his country. He meets his death with dignified acceptance. In my view, only Franco Corelli gives a more satisfying rendition of this role.... Read more ›
This recording is exceptionally well cast, with very competent singers in the secondary roles. Giorgio Tozzi makes a compelling Ramfis and Plinio Ciabassi and Mietta Sighele do well with the rather limited material they have as the King and the High Priestess.
The main strength of the performance, however, lies, as it must, in the four principals. I always regret the brevity of the role of Amonasro, especially when it is sung by a baritone of the quality of Robert Merrill. He is never less than highly competent and at his best, as he is in `Ma tu Re, tu signore possente', he is magnificent. Rita Gorr is an affecting Amneris and brings out the frustration and disappointment of the princess. She has all the notes for this demanding role and, in my view, her vibrato underlines the vulnerability which underlies Amneris's forcefulness.
Jon Vickers, always a powerful performer, brings out the essential virility of Radames in the early scenes and gives us a particularly effective `Celeste Aida', He also succeeds in conveying his character's distress and shame when he realises that his love for Aida has led him to betray his country. He meets his death with dignified acceptance. In my view, only Franco Corelli gives a more satisfying rendition of this role.... Read more ›
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Viva Verdi
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've ploughed through many of the studio recordings of Aida (both Cetra recordings, both Tebaldi recordings, the Callas, the Milanov, the Nilsson and the classic Caballe/Muti) but this is the one that holds the top notch.
Leontyne Price's voice is young and sweet. Vickers was a strange choice, given who was knocking around, but he is undeniably an heroic Radames. Gorr is absolutely superb (why she was not dragged into the recording studio more I'll never know) and Merrill is warm and rich in tone, but Solti is the star. He draws a huge sound from the Rome Opera Orchestra, though I also have to give credit to Giuseppe Conca for the sound that the chorus produce - the bass priests' honeyed tones are beautiful.
Price and Merrill fighting it out in act III is one of my all-time favourite moments of recorded opera. Many people would, understandably, suggest the Caballe/Muti recording but please at least try this one first - I love it.
Leontyne Price's voice is young and sweet. Vickers was a strange choice, given who was knocking around, but he is undeniably an heroic Radames. Gorr is absolutely superb (why she was not dragged into the recording studio more I'll never know) and Merrill is warm and rich in tone, but Solti is the star. He draws a huge sound from the Rome Opera Orchestra, though I also have to give credit to Giuseppe Conca for the sound that the chorus produce - the bass priests' honeyed tones are beautiful.
Price and Merrill fighting it out in act III is one of my all-time favourite moments of recorded opera. Many people would, understandably, suggest the Caballe/Muti recording but please at least try this one first - I love it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Yellowbear
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Delighted with this recording. I read the reviews and agree with those who praised this wonderful performance. I am no expert on Opera or Verdi, but when I am reduced to tears then it must have been good!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By enthusiast
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't find it easy to review opera CDs. This is partly because it is not that easy for me to see operas - there are so many that I have heard so many times but have never seen - so I am often not as aware as I might be of operas as musical drama. Often I approach an opera as a listening experience, as total music. On that level this is a really great set. Price is in powerfully good voice and Jon Vickers also strikes me as excellent. Solti keeps the whole thing moving so that the intensity never lets up. This is a very rewarding listening experience. It would probably also be a great evening in the opera house - at least I feel that I can almost see it unfolding before my eyes when I listen. And at this price you can't go wrong.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By beachcomer
Format:Audio CD
I last heard this recording more than 25 years ago. Then on vinyl with a touch of hardness to the presentation especially to the brass - typical Decca sound of the period. Today on CD the hardness seems to have increased bringing a brashness to the sound that makes me reach for the treble control. However the artists are superb the singing sublime and the overall performance a historical masterpiece! Recording 5 out of 10, Performance 10 out of 10.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heavenly
This recording gave us a wonderful initiation before going to see Aida live at local cinema.
So much more enjoyable when you've heard more than just the famous march.
So much more enjoyable when you've heard more than just the famous march.
Published 5 months ago by A. H. Malone
3.0 out of 5 stars
No libretto
Bought this preformance because of it's wide recommendation from al different kind of authority in classical records. Read more
Published 12 months ago by amazon customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing sound experience
I had this on cassette tape and almost wore it out but then times change, people change, and opera faded into the background for me. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Tiggy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Verdi. Aida
This is an excellent and cheap version of Verdi's Aida.
Excellent and prompt service from Amazon.
Excellent and prompt service from Amazon.
Published on 14 Mar 2010 by Margaret E. Mcewan
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