User Reviews

Aida is one of Verdi's best operas, and I admire every member of the cast here. And apart from some poor picture quality and some weird costumes(especially Bergonzi's leotard) this is an outstanding Aida, definitely one for the ages. The sets are lavish, the stage directing is regal and powerful on the most part, the ballet and choreography are fun if slightly dated and the sound is pretty good for a opera TV production of the 60s. The orchestral playing is simply grand, sensitive and thrilling with the right magisterial power in Act 2, and the chorus sing with a strong focused sound. The conducting seems just right too, at the top of my head I can't think of any tempos that came across as questionable. And then there are the performances, perhaps in a way it is stronger vocally, I cannot find a single fault on this front, than dramatically but it is certainly not devoid of dramatic impact. Leyla Gencer's Aida is exquisitely sung, the tone is beautiful even when in the more dramatic elements of the role and the control and pianissimos sound so refined. She is not the best of actresses but is still noble and expressive. Carlo Bergonzi was never known to be much of an actor, though I did like the bit where he was stroking Gencer's arm like a loving husband- I know that Radames is not one, I'm just using an example of what it reminded me of. But he more than compensates with one of the most beautiful and musically shaped voices of anybody singing Radames with Celeste Aida having the right amount of heroism. The Amneris of Fiorenza Cossotto is a powerhouse vocally and dramatically. I know she has her detractors, I for one consider her underrated and have done so ever since seeing her remarkable Santuzza under Karajan. Her singing is large and thrilling firm at the bottom and ringing at the top, and dramatically she is shimmering and appropriately serpentine. Anselmo Colzani is Amonasro, and it is a role that I have only heard sung better by GianGiacomo Guelfi and Giuseppe Taddei. His voice is huge and beautiful, and while ferociously threatening there is also that sympathetic loving father side, you should see both sides in Act 3 to Amonasro and you certainly do with Colzani. There's also Bonaldo Giaiotti and he sings sonorously and with an imperious presence. All in all, outstanding, a must to see great singers in their element. 9/10 Bethany Cox