Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Aida, opera: Preludio
2. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene I: Sì: Corre Voce Che L'Etiope
3. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene I: Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!
4. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene I: Quale Insolita Gioia Nel Tuo Sguardo!
5. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene I: Dessa!
6. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene I: Ohimé! Di Guerra Fremere
7. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene I: Alta Cagion V'aduna
8. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene I: Il Sacro Suolo Dell'Egitto È Invaso
9. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene I: Su! Del Nilo Al Sacro Lido
10. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene I: Ritorna Vincitor!
11. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene II: Possente, Possente Fthà
12. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene II: Sacre Dance Of The Prestesses Immenso Fthà!
13. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene II: Mortal, Diletto Ai Numi
14. Aida, opera: Act I - Scene II: Nume, Custode E Vindice

Disc 2:

1. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene I: Chi Mai Fra Gl'inni E I Plausi
2. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene I: Dance Of The Young Moorish Slaves
3. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene I: Vieni: Sul Crin Ti Piovano
4. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene I: Fu La Sorte Dell'armi
5. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene I: Pietà Ti Prenda Del Mio Dolor
6. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene I: Su! Del Nilo Al Sacro Lido
7. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene II: Gloria All'Egitto, Ad Iside
8. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene II: Ballet
9. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene II: Vieni, O Guerriero Vindice
10. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene II: Salvator Della Patria
11. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene II: Concedi In Pria
12. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene II: Che Veggo! ... Egli? ... Mio Padre!
13. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene II: Quest'assisa Ch'io Vesto Vi Dica
14. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene II: Ma Tu, Re, Tu Signore Possente
15. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene II: Gloria All'Egitto, Ad Iside
16. Aida, opera: Act II - Scene II: Fa Cor: Della Tua Patria

Disc 3:

1. Aida, opera: Act III: O Tu Che Sei d'Osiride
2. Aida, opera: Act III: Vieni d'Iside Al Tempio
3. Aida, opera: Act III: Qui Radamès Verrà!
4. Aida, opera: Act III: O Patria Mia
5. Aida, opera: Act III: Ciel! Mio Padre!
6. Aida, opera: Act III: Rivdrai Le Foreste Impalsamate
7. Aida, opera: Act III: In Armi Ora Si Desta Il Popol Nostro
8. Aida, opera: Act III: Padre! A Costoro Schiava Non Sono
9. Aida, opera: Act III: Pur Ti Riveggo, Mia Dolce Aida
10. Aida, opera: Act III: Nel Fiero Anelito Di Nuova Guerra
11. Aida, opera: Act III: Fuggiam Gli Ardori Inospiti
12. Aida, opera: Act III: Aida! - Tu Non M'ami
13. Aida, opera: Act III: Ah No! Fuggiamo!
14. Aida, opera: Act III: Ma, Dimmi
15. Aida, opera: Act III: Ah No! Ti Calma, Ascoltami
16. Aida, opera: Act III: Muori! - Arresta, Insano!
17. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene I: L'abborrita Rivale A Me Sfuggia
18. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene I: Già I Sacredoti Adunansi
19. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene I: Ah! Tu Dêi Vivere!
20. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene I: Chi Ti Salva, Sciagurato
21. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene I: Ohimè! ... Morir Mi Sento
22. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene I: Spirto Del Nume, Sovra Noi Discendi!
23. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene I: Radamès! Radamès! Radamès!
24. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene I: A Lui Vivo La Tomba
25. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene II: La Fatal Pietra Sovra Me Si Chiuse
26. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene II: Presago Il Core Della Tua Condanna
27. Aida, opera: Act IV - Scene II: O Terra, Addio

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #156602 in Music
• Released on: 1999-08-10
• Number of discs: 3
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .65 pounds

Customer Reviews

"Aida assoluta" Leontyne Price Re-visits Verdi's Egypt!!!
This particular recording of Verdi's "Aida" has provoked a great deal of discussion amongst opera-lovers and critics alike since its release in 1970. Much of the furor centered on the American operatic diva Leontyne Price, universally regarded as one of the greatest Aidas ever, and this, her 2nd recorded performance of the role. Most become mired in subjective comparisons between Ms. Price's vocalism and interpretation on the legendary Solti/ Decca "Aida" made in the '60s, and this recording, released on RCA in 1970. There is little need for such debate. "Aida" has enjoyed no greater performer of the role than Leontyne Price! Here, Ms. Price's voice has grown notably darker in color, the middle voice heavier and lusher in texture. Her lower voice has more bite (and more chest)and husk. The upper voice hasn't lost much(vibrancy),and has gained a creamier, velvety richness that yields sublime soft 'pianos'("Numi pieta"..."O Patria mia"...the Nile Scene...and "O terra,addio") and produces the 'con forza' neccessary for the climaxes in the opera. Ms. Price has stated that the key to performing this role(for her)is in recognizing that Aida is a Royal Ethiopean princess, and that attitude is prevalent in her performance here. The conception is grander, more regal, and pointed in relation to her earlier assumption with Solti. The diva uses her impressive vocal 'palette' to color the texts, illuminating the various dramatic situations expertly, no more so than in the Nile Scene where Aida must express sorrow in the aria, joy, then revulsion & terror in the duet with Amonasro, and then seduce Radames into duplicity. Ms. Price reigns supreme there, and is triumphant throughout in this recording. Comparisons be damned, Leontyne Price is unbeatable as Aida on recordings. Her Radames, tenor Placido Domingo, has recorded his role (3) times. He sings here with a youthful vitality that's appropriate for the ambitious Egyptian captain in love with Aida. Mr. Domingo's voice is darkly beautiful, with a distinct vibrancy in his middle voice that blossoms into a firm, full-bodied spinto upper voice that 'rings' on top. He's ardent in the love scenes, heroic in the climaxes, and uniquely successful at portraying Radames' vulnerability, making Aida's seduction in the Nile Scene and "Celeste Aida" more convincing than usual. Mr. Domingo's use of 'mezza voce' is never more appreciated than in "O terra addio", the opera's finale, where he & Ms. Price sing a soft, glowing "farewell" to earth that is heartbreaking. Mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry recorded the role of the Egyptian princess Amneris once before this performance. This role is one of her most famous creations, and she demonstrates the reason for such acclaim here. Ms. Bumbry's voice is sable- rich in texture, with a dark, pulsing middle voice, powerful high notes, and a deep, resonant chest voice that's singular in its beauty. 'Amneris' is a three-dimensional character in Ms. Bumbry's hands, and vocally, the mezzo-soprano is superb at presenting the crafty, volatile, passionate nature of Aida's nemesis. Ms. Bumbry's voice alternately purrs beguilingly, snarls with fury, urgently pleads, and is plaintive when the drama demands it, all on display in her Act III duet with Mr. Domingo,and the explosive Judgement Scene that follows. She is a magnificent Amneris. Baritone Sherrill Milnes added the role of Aida's father 'Amonasaro' to the stellar list of Verdi roles he's renowned for with this recording. His portrayal is also more youthful than usual, but loses none of the dignity and stature that Verdi invested in the music. Mr. Milnes uses his voluminous instrument with a musical intelligence that is largely missing in his rivals' interpretations. His singing is nuanced, purposeful, & incisive, utilizing the strong, firmly- voiced middle to contrast with a superior upper extension, that balances his weak lower register(though not a great factor in this role). Mr. Milnes' duet with Ms. Price in the Nile Scene sizzles! The role of 'Ramphis' is intoned by basso Ruggiero Raimondi, whose vocalism is well-produced but static. (With rare exception, so are his rivals.) Maestro Erich Leinsdorf lacks the imaginative 'spark' that could have lifted this performance to definitive greatness, and instead, conducts a 'practised', thoroughly competent, and musically correct account of this GRAND opera. We are most fortunate that the cast is able to bring their own artistry & vision to the proceedings, and not be too influenced by the maestro's equanimity with the score. This recording has been re-mastered digitally, and the sonics are quite lively and true. There are indeed other more creatively- conducted performances, that feature 'Aidas' of great vocal beauty (Caballe, Milanov,Tebaldi,L.Price) & other superlative artists ( Cossotto,Simionato,Barbieri/ Bergonzi,Corelli,Tucker/ Merrill,Gobbi,Warren), but this performance has something its rivals don't: a sterling quartet of supreme Verdians that includes 'Aida assoluta' Leontyne Price!!

ultimate cast, bad equipment
Leontyne Price, Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, and Grace Bumbry: four of the most amazing artists I've ever heard. It's too bad that RCA didn't use better equipment to record it. There is a lot of back space in the sound and at times, the singers' voices get too powerful and high notes turn into static. All recording injustices aside, Price gives another powerful performance as Aida. Her "O patria mia" is not to be missed and displays her amazing vocal talent, especially the control she has as she descends from high, climactic points to lower notes. Placido Domingo is a little sterile as Radames, but Bergonzi is the only other tenor that I liked more in the role. Sherrill Milnes is at his usual best, which is nothing short of extraordinary. Grace Bumbry is my personal favorite, however. Her robust voice brings power to the low notes and she is never drowned out by the orchestra, something which I find can rarely be said of mezzos. She sounds truly anguished at her unrequited love and rounds out the cast with a performance second to none.
Given the choice, I'd still buy the recording for the star studded cast, but I hope that someday it can be "re"-digitally remastered.

Price is a goddess
I think the other reviewers are too picky. The point is: Leontyne Price IS Aida. Period. No one ever sang this music better. Yes, if forced to choose, I would pick the earlier Solti set over this one -- her tone is simply ravishing -- but this is still a masterful account of the role. There's also excellent work here from Bumbry, Domingo and Milnes.