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AIDA
--Standard Repertory--
By Giuseppe Verdi
VIDEO: A) Leyla Gencer, Carlo Bergonzi,
Fiorenza Cossotto, Capuana conducting ("live" telecast, '66); Bel
Canto Society BCS-0610; $34.95; an outdoor spectacular from the Arena
di Verona showcasing a superb performance and filmed in respectable B
& W; features hundreds of extras, choristers, dancers, etc.;
sound quality quite vivid, visuals striking though not the equal of
Video C; photography still more than good enough for a "live"
telecast; no subtitles [G.R.]
B) Herva Nelli, Eva Gustavson, Richard Tucker, Giuseppe
Valdengo, Arturo Toscanini, NBC Symphony, Robert Shaw Chorale (from
NBC telecasts of 26 Mar. and 2 Apr., 1949. [no subtitles, Black
and White (B & W)] RCA Gold Seal 60331-6-RG An energized,
electrifying performance with musical precision that complements the
intense dramatic excitement. Not too stimulating visually, as the
performance is in concert form. [G.R.]
C) Sophia Loren, and the voices of Renata Tebaldi, Giuseppe
Campora, Ebe Stignani, Gino Bechi. Italian, with English narration.
(1951). 95m. Color #553 US$29.95. Opulent film spectacle of Verdi's
most well-loved opera, heavily cut, with voices that successfully
encompass Verdi's demands. Bel Canto Society. [G.R.]
AUDIO: A) DECCA/LONDON: Leontyne Price, Jon
Vickers, Rita Gorr, Solti conducting; spaciously recorded with bold,
exciting voices and superb drama; everything (and everybody) works
brilliantly in context to make up a thrilling whole; excellent stereo
[G.R.]
B) RCA: Zinka Milanov, Jussi Bjoerling, Fedora Barbieri,
Perlea conducting; with somewhat more sympathetic and pliable
conducting, equally sumptuous singing, less riveting drama; mono
[G.R.]
C) MELODRAM CDM 26015: Maria Callas, Mario Del Monaco,
Oralia Dominguez, De Fabritiis (sic) conducting ("live," Mexico,
1951); the most exciting and dramatic reading of all, but in so-so
sound; the favorite Aida set of many--for good reason; NOT to be
confused with a Mexico/Callas broadcast from one year earlier ALSO on
MELODRAM(!) under the less exciting Maestro Picco (the poorer Maestro
Picco broadcast is MELODRAM CDM 26009--to be avoided); ALSO, AVOID
the studio EMI Callas Aida released in 1955/56: she's in poor voice
there, even though its Maestro, T.Serafin, remains in a class by
himself- -his fine leadership is still not worth the overall set;
stick with this 1951 broadcast with De Fabritiis (sic); mono (this
1951 broadcast is also available on ENTERPRISE) [G.R.]
D) ROMOPHONE: Dusolina Giannini, Aureliano Pertile, Irene
Minghini-Cataneo, Sabajno conducting; a classic achievement from 1928
in surprisingly vivid sound; like #C, considered the best by many;
authentic, committed artists in every role, the tenor Pertile is an
acquired taste, searching inwardness and sincerity conveyed in a
thrilling voice is measured against occasional barnstorming
and--some--vibrato; mono [G.R.]
E) RCA: CD reissue of the audio portion of VIDEO B
listed above; fairly good mono [G.R.]
For Further
Reading:
The
Operas of Verdi : From Don Carlos to Falstaff (Vol. 3,
Revised), by Julian Budden
Encounters
with Verdi, by Marcello Conati, Richard Stokes, Julian
Budden
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This Page Last Revised 8/13/99| Copyright ©
1998 by Geoffrey Riggs
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