Product Details

• Actors: Maria Chiara, Fiorenza Cossotto
• Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Kultur Video
• DVD Release Date: June 28, 2005
• Run Time: 150 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0009GV9BY
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,035 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Verdi’s grand opera Aida was composed for the new Cairo Opera House, built in 1871 as part of the celebrations to mark the opening of the Suez Canal. In Aida, Verdi created a masterpiece of spectacular opera in the Italian style whose pomp and ceremony, fanfares and triumphs scarcely conceal the infinite sadness which emanates from the music. Aida is one of Verdi’s most perfect scores in its atmosphere, characterisation and seemingly inexhaustible supply of melody. The Arena di Verona, built in the first century B.C., provides a natural and apt setting for Aida. The cast is led by the soprano Maria Chiara in the title role, with Fiorenza Cossotto, one of the great interpreters of Amneris, Nicola Martinucci as Radames and Giuseppe Scandola as Amonasro. "This version of Aida is undoubtedly among the best open-air performances in recent years - both because of the merits of the singers and the outstanding qualities of the scenery, the production and the choreography" LA REPUBBLICA

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LIVE and ALIVE, August 5, 2005

By 

Gautam Rajadhyaksha (Mumbai,India) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdi - Aida / Chiara, Cossotto, Martinucci, Scandola, Zardo, Zanazzo, Gudagno, Verona Opera (DVD)

There are several AIDA performances now available on DVD.I would rate this as one of the best. For a Live performance at the Arena di Verona, it has been well shot and well recorded.Though all singers and conductor acquit themselves with merit, the show belongs to Chiara and Cossoto. Though fairly limited in the acting department, Chiara who began as a glorious lyric soprano had, by this time developed into a fine dramatic voice.Her 'Ritorna Vincitor!','O patria mia' and the entire Nile Scene is stunning..as can be judged from the well deserved applause she receives after each of Aida's great pieces.(Chiara's later DVD Aida with Pavarotti pales in comparison)Cossotto, though terribly overweight at this point, sings as none of her contemporaries could.Martinucci, the Rhadames is competant without being the Star- his lady companions take care of that.All in all, a DVD to return to over and over again-as I've done from the earlier issued VHS to the newly released DVD.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Aida, May 12, 2006

By 

Viewer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi - Aida / Chiara, Cossotto, Martinucci, Scandola, Zardo, Zanazzo, Gudagno, Verona Opera (DVD)

This was recorded in 1981.
The sound quality is very good, and the picture quality is fair enough.

Both Chiara and Cossotto were already very famous at this stage.
The two of them knew how to behave in front of an enthusiastic audience, especially Cossotto, whose diva-like manners are typical.
Nevertheless, you can't expect better portrayals of the ethiopian princess and her egyptian rival.

Martinucci is far more modest. It looks like he was embarrassed from the amount of clapping after his aria.
He deserved no less!
His singing and acting are such to be put rightly in the same line as the female singers above.

The rest of the cast is good, the orchestra gives a colourful support and the ballet is lovely.

In conclusion, an almost perfect production.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible visual experience!, April 19, 2008

By 

Neil Short - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdi - Aida / Chiara, Cossotto, Martinucci, Scandola, Zardo, Zanazzo, Gudagno, Verona Opera (DVD)

The reason anybody would be interested in this DVD is its historical value. The singers are classic. The particular stage production is of interest. The actual performance is very good.

On the other hand, I find the video very difficult to watch. The cameras that are close to the stage are set below stage level so that no character can be filmed full-view. Everybody is cut off at the knees.

The choices of shots is wrong 33% of the time. The camera often zooms in on Aida while Amneris is delivering lines. The wrong actor is often featured on screen.

Closeups are infrequent; so actual acting is usually left out. There are too many wide angle shots in which the beautiful massive stage is featured while it is difficult to tell if there is anything actually going on on that stage or if there is even anybody standing on it.

All the wide shots are made with the actors' legs chopped off at the thighs while the space above the actors' heads takes up most of the screen.

Watching the video is an aggravating experience. I tried to just listen and not watch and that experience is inferior to just listening to the opera on one of my CDs. The outdoor wind is evident and the thin and simple 2-channel stereo is not rewarding.

I bought this DVD on the strength of the four 5-star reviews on the product. I am very disappointed in the purchase. I'm thinking of returning it even though I'll only get a 50% refund.

Unless you are interested in the historic performance value you will not appreciate the production.