Verdi - Aida / Arroyo · Domingo · Abbado

Giuseppe Verdi (Artist), Claudio Abbado (Artist), Plácido Domingo (Artist), Martina Arroyo (Artist), Nicolai Ghiaurov (Artist), Fiorenza Cossotto (Artist), Piero Cappuccilli (Artist), Josella Ligi (Artist), Piero de Palma (Artist), Luigi Roni (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 25, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Opera D'oro
• ASIN: B00000AFP2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,119 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What a wonderful surprise! Even fans of Placido Domingo, who has recorded the role of Radames four times commercially (including the acclaimed version with Monserrat Caballé under Riccardo Muti), will be amazed by his fresh voice and complete involvement, under Claudio Abbado's thoroughly engrossing leadership in this live 1972 performance, in very good sound. Martina Arroyo was an underrated Aida, and Fiorenza Cossotto spews rage as the jealous Amneris. Piero Cappuccilli gives us an Amonasro to fear and respect, and Nicolai Ghiaurov, is, as always, the perfect low voice in the ensembles. The La Scala forces are terrific. Dare I say it? This is the best-performed Aida on the market. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic version of a great opera, December 15, 2000

By 

Yuri - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi - Aida / Arroyo · Domingo · Abbado (Audio CD)

This is a version of Aida to treasure the quality of sound is excellent and the atmosphere that is generated electric,I have four other versions and find this my favourite the singing is just outstanding Domingo and Arroyo are both in fantastic voice but special mention must go to Cossotto who completely gets into the role of Amneris, this is true Verdian singing at its best you really feel all her conflicting emotions, wonderful stuff,Cappuccilli and Ghiaurov are both ideal for their roles singing beautifully and I've not heard a better sung King than that of Roni ,firm and regal, Abbado is in such good form pacing this Aida with such elan and not forgetting the la scala orchestra who have this music in their blood. BUY IT!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great performance, so-so sound quality, June 16, 2001

By 

Anthony Louis (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Verdi - Aida / Arroyo · Domingo · Abbado (Audio CD)

Aida is my favorite opera and I have heard most recorded versions and been to many live performances. This CD captures a particulary good performance and is worth buying both for the price and the quality of the singers. I don't agree with other reviewers about the quality of the sound. The voices are not well balanced against the orchestra. It almost sounds like the singers were too close to the microphone. I found it hard to find a comfortable volume for listening. Maybe the fault lies in the digital remastering, or maybe I just got a bad CD. Addendum: I have had a chance to listen to this recording several times since I wrote the above review. It really is an excellent performance, and I got used to the sound quality. It is definitely worth buying and it gets better each time I listen to it.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Robert Levine may be right!, October 12, 2001

By 

Ronald F. Payne (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Verdi - Aida / Arroyo · Domingo · Abbado (Audio CD)

Aida is one of those operas that seem defy studio recordings. This live performance may indeed be the best overall recorded performance available. Very few sopranos manage splendid renditions of both "Ritorna Vincitor" and "O Patria mia", but Arroyo does indeed nail both of them. Domingo and Cossotto are both a little loud and unsubtle, but there's no denying their commitment(not to mention glorious singing). But ultimately it's Abbado who makes this performance very special. He manages to reveal all the beauty of Verdi's orchestral and vocal writing while keeping the theatrical vitality abundantly alive.