Product Details

• Actors: Cheryl Studer, Luciana D'Intino, Yvonne Barclay, Dennis O'Neill (II), Robin Leggate
• Directors: Brian Large
• Format: Classical, Color, NTSC
• Language: Italian
• Subtitles: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Kultur Video
• VHS Release Date: February 27, 1997
• Run Time: 150 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304364296
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #82,695 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
No, this is not the Broadway hit, but the original Verdi masterpiece, staged and performed to a fare-thee-well by an extraordinary cast in this 1994 Royal Opera production. Cheryl Studer shows why she was one of America's leading sopranos in the late 1980s and early '90s before bowing out because of overwork and strain. Her Aida is touching, proud, defiant--in short, the quintessential Verdi heroine. Her Radames, Dennis O'Neill, is only adequate, which puts both Aida and her rival Amneris (Luciana d'Intino in a forceful portrayal) at odds over seemingly nothing. The Royal Opera Chorus performs Verdi's glorious choral moments brilliantly, and the Royal Opera House Orchestra, under Edward Downes, gives a solid, vigorous account of one of Verdi's most shimmering scores. Elijah Moshinsky's staging abounds in many clever touches, and the sets and costumes are evocative without being too elaborately overwhelming. --Kevin Filipski

From the Back Cover
A spectacular Covent Garden production of Verdi's most popular opera, featuring Cheryl Studer and Dennis O'Neill. 150 minutes, color, 1994, in Italian with English subtitles. Cast:

Cheryl Studer: Aida
Dennis O'Neill: Radamès
Luciana D'Intino: Amneris
Alexandru Agache: Amonasro
Robert Lloyd: Ramfis
Mark Beesley: Il re
Yvonne Barclay: Grande Sacerdotessa
John Marsden: Messagiero

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding AIDA, September 19, 2007

By	Strauss Lover - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi - Aida / Downes, Studer, O'Neill, Royal Opera Covent Garden (DVD)

I am new to this Aida and its magic spell is now upon me. Of course any Aida will rise and fall on the title role and this is a superior Aida on all counts not least vocally and interpretatively. Some will argue that Leontyne Price is the Aida of our times. I disagree since Price, to these ears, is a singer of the stand and deliver variety. What Cheryl Studer accomplishes in the title role is an unexpected pleasure. Listen to her "O patria mia" to understand what I mean. I could go on and on. For example, d'Intino is also a superb Amneris. Less so is O'Neill as Radames but you can't have it all. Bravi!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive production and singing, October 8, 2006

By	Robert Petersen (Durban, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi - Aida / Downes, Studer, O'Neill, Royal Opera Covent Garden (DVD)

I never thought that Cheryl Studer could pull off Aida. But she does. She sings with her usual committment vocally and the audience love her. The staging is impressive and the chorus and orchestra under Edward Downes add to the production. The remainder of the cast perform excellently.

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars TERRIBLE!!!, June 20, 2005

By	Whitacre For Ever "EJ" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi - Aida / Downes, Studer, O'Neill, Royal Opera Covent Garden (DVD)

Singing isn't all that great, but it was probably the best part of this production. The conducting was bad, the acting was bad, the staging was bad...I think you get the clue. I couldn't watch it all in one sitting. I had to stop after the first act and watch the rest later. Poor Verdi, he'd be rolling in his grave if he knew these terrible musicians had ruined his art!