Aida

Verdi (Artist), Price (Artist), Leinsdorf (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003EOR
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,459 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Price, Leontyne

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Aida: Prelude

2. Aida: Act 1 - Scene 1: Si, corre voce che l'Etiope (Ramfis, Radames)

3. Aida: Act 1 - Scene 1: Se quel guerrier; Celeste Aida (Radames)

4. Aida: Act 1 - Scene 1: Quale insolita gioia nel tuo sguardo! (Amneris, Radames)

5. Aida: Act 1 - Scene 1: Dessa! (Amneris)

6. Aida: Act 1 - Scene 1: Ohime! Di guerra fremere (Aida, Amneris, Radames)

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Aida: Act II - Scene 1: Chi mai fra gl'inni e i plausi (Amneris)

2. Aida: Act II - Scene 1: Dance of the Moorish Slaves

3. Aida: Act II - Scene 1: Vieni: sul crin ti piovano (Amneris)

4. Aida: Act II - Scene 1: Fu la sorte dell'armi (Aida, Amneris)

5. Aida: Act II - Scene 1: Pieta, ti prenda del mio dolor (Amneris, Aida)

6. Aida: Act II - Scene 1: Su! del Nilo al sacro lido (Amneris, Aida)

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Aida: Act III - O tu che sei d'Osiride

2. Aida: Act III - Vieni d'Iside al tempio (Ramfis, Amneris)

3. Aida: Act III - Qui Radames verra! (Aida)

4. Aida: Act III - O patria mia (Aida)

5. Aida: Act III - Ciel! Mio padre! (Aida, Amonasro)

6. Aida: Act III - Rivedrai la foreste imbalsamate (Aida, Amonasro)

See all 29 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leontyne Price/AIDA II: And the Winner is.....YOU!!!, June 9, 2006

By 

Donizetti's Kid "ebolene" (NYC, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aida (Audio CD)

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 quintessential Verdians that includes 'Aida assoluta' Leontyne Price!!
NOTE:
Opera fans and critics' opinions can vary greatly at times because the Art form itself is prone to subjectivity & personal taste. However, there are certain technical and musical demands, most often created by the composer and/or "tradition" that are unavoidably objective, and with rare exception, are executed by the performers on this recording. I would urge fans and critics alike to demonstrate said 'taste' when reviewing any particular performance on this website (and elsewhere). One can disagree with an artists' output without being disrespectful, cruel, or, (far-worse) distortion, bordering on dishonesty. Love them or hate them, these performers are all artists, and merit respect- if not admiration. Basta!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love Leontyne Price!!!, June 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Aida (Audio CD)

Leontyne Price recorded a lot of Aidas, and the best one is problably the 1963 Met recording with Bergonzi as Radames and Solti on the podium (Myto). Though, if you don't like bad sound and coughing contests, you must hate that disc-set. Then, if you want to hear the best Aida ever, you have to buy this beautiful RCA recording; Leinsdorf does a great job, although he's not the most talented conductor of the century, and Leontyne Price's singing is just as good as it gets. Listen closely to her "Ritorna vincitor!": that's what "ARTIST" means. Domingo and Bumbry show they're worth their popularity; Raimondi and Milnes complete the triumph with great performances.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Recording of Aida, August 4, 1999

By 

James Walters (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aida (Audio CD)

This is one of my favorite recordings of Aida. FIrst of all if you're looking for a recording of this title you simply must have one with Leontyne Price in the title role, no one else can match her in this role. The names Aida and Leontyne Price are synomonous. Domingo is also a great Radames and he has truly been the verdian tenor of our times. Bumbry is also such a dynamic voice and sings Amneris like no one else. My favorite moment in the opera is durnig the duet "pur ti riveggo", when Price sings " In van tu no potressti" She is so great. Buy this recording I did and I am incredibly happy with it!!!