Verdi: Aida / Abbado, Teatro alla Scala [Box set]

Giuseppe Verdi (Artist), Claudio Abbado (Artist), Katia Ricciarelli (Artist), Plácido Domingo (Artist), Elena Obraztsova (Artist), Leo Nucci (Artist), Nicolai Ghiaurov (Artist), Lucia Valentini-Terrani (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 8, 1983)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001G4K
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,541 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flawed, but a Jewel Just the Same, June 14, 2000

By 

William T. Clegg (Pocatello, Idaho United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdi: Aida / Abbado, Teatro alla Scala (Audio CD)

Deutsche Grammophone's 1981 La Scala AIDA was one of the first digital recordings of Verdi's masterpiece. Led by Claudio Abbado, then reigning at Italy's premier opera house, it is a beautifully dramatic reading, proportionately well paced and, for the most part, well sung. At full price, it's hard to recommend it as a first choice, but anyone interested in this opera won't want to be without it.

In the men's and comprimario departments there isn't a weak link to be found. Domingo gives his best recorded account of Rhadames, with finer detail than in his previous outings with Leinsdorf and Muti but losing nothing of the power, molten tone and security he'd already displayed in the role. As for Leo Nucci, he isn't the best Amonasro I've heard, but there's nothing in his performance to complain about and much to admire. The Ramfis of Niccolai Ghiaurov has aged well and it's acutally this aging that gives his performance the edge over other recorded High Priests. It's the best version of the role to be found. Ruggero Raimondi's warm voice and commanding presence make a regal king of Egypt and it's a luxury to have him in a role usually reserved for less-distinguished singers. As for the smaller roles, Piero de Palma, always excellent, gives what would be his last recorded Messenger and Lucia Valentini-Terrani contributes an ethereal High Priestess.

It's the vocal performances of the two leading ladies that are this jewel's flaw. Katia Ricciarelli possessed a golden voice, good looks,and the ability to project the drama through the text. Her vocal technique on the other hand was less than masterful. One gets the sense that someone saw her potential, wanted to be the one who could claim discovery, and therefore she was put before the public prematurely, a kind of exploitation that became highly visible in the 1970's and 80's as star singers became older or retired with no one to replace them. There are many moments in this particular recording that Ricciarelli is reminiscent of Montserrat Caballe, though she is minus Caballe's vocal freedom. Ricciarelli almost cruelly pushes her voice and many high notes come out as desperate, pressured squalls, especially when a fortissimo is required. On the positive side, in the middle and lower registers, Ricciarelli's singing is tender and delicate, creating a believably vulnerable Aida, and her way of putting just the right emphasis on key words makes one ache for what might have been had this artist been allowed to develop in her own time.

For her part, mezzo-soprano Elena Obraztsova's Amneris has no problems cutting through the orchestra with her powerful, vinegary tone, although her method of vocal production gives her a disagreeably wide vibrato that at times obscures the pitch. There's nothing to carp about in her overtly dramatic performance, though I personally prefer the likes of Verrett, Simionato, and Cossotto. In the end, all of this is really a matter of taste, so there are most likely those who would have no objections to Obraztsova's performance.

Finally, the sound quality is everything you'd expect from a digital recording, clear and accurate, if somewhat sterile and occasionally congested. The aural staging is effective, and the orchestra and chorus perform well under Abbado's able, inspired direction. In short, this really would have been an unbeatable performance had Ricciarelli and Obraztsova been stronger. As it is, there is much to enjoy here, and for those already acquainted with AIDA and looking for a fresh take on the opera, this is a good recording to acquire, though it would be even more irresistable at a lower price.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beauty and strength!, February 8, 2011

By 

vinokurov (Belarus) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: Aida / Abbado, Teatro alla Scala (Audio CD)

The advantage of this performance is the lack of vulgar melodrama. Music performed by masters of sufficient emotional and informative, and a pretentious actor playing performers often saddens me. Sobs and artificial laugh often looks silly. Here, it is not. A very powerful performance, I do not even proper to Abbado. Very clean execution that is peculiar to Abbado. Although this is only my humble opinion. Subjective and that I am delighted with Obraztsova. And it's not that I'm a Slav, not all Slavic voice I like, and I do not divide performers on racial grounds. I just love Obraztsova. However, Domingo and Ricciarelli too. Domingo - the love and honor, Obraztsova - really strong, powerful but spurned by a woman. Ricciarelli ... superficial, it is Tiny for which everything is decided by others. All the characters are transferred to a very convincing! When Aida performs Price - it's a lioness. It can be manipulated? She is naive and silly? ...But in the case Ricciarelli all in their places. I like it here even Nucci, though it is no longer law for me. Perhaps this is the best Aida for me, although I love and Leinsdorf-Price performance, but it's other virtues ...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Verdi: Aida / Abbado, Teatro alla Scala, November 19, 2011

By 

Bjorn Viberg (European Union) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: Aida / Abbado, Teatro alla Scala (Audio CD)

Verdi: Aida / Abbado, Teatro alla Scala is a 1982 Deutsche Grammophon starring Placido Domingo and Katia Ricciarelli. Domingo is amazing in the role of Radames and Ricciarelli also does a great job in her role as Aida. Andrew Porter has written well-written and informative music notes. A synopsis is also included. All the lyrics are available in German, French, Italian and English. Claudio Abbado leads the Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scalla. A very fine performance indeed. Highly recommended. 5/5.