Verdi - Aida / Wanamaker, Price, Pavarotti, San Francisco Opera
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Catalog: DVD, Priced: 30, Sale:27 Used:17, 3rd Party Price:16, Hobbie Price:
Sales Rank:23939
UPC:032031225190; MPN:D2251D
Sales Rank:23939
Album Artists:
Verdi - Aida / Wanamaker, Price, Pavarotti, San Francisco Opera Tracks:
Album Details:
This spectacular 1981 San Francisco production of Aida, directed by Sam Wanamaker, boasts production values more commonly associated with Hollywood to portray scenes from the time of the Pharaohs, notably a striking interior for the temple of Vulcan from where Radames is sent forth on his mission to conquer the invading Ethiopian army. With Margaret Price in the title role and Luciano Pavarotti as Radames, there is much going for this version, both musically and visually.
Price and Pavarotti are in superb voice throughout. Pavarotti sings his initial aria, "Celeste Aida", very much as a showpiece, ignoring Verdi's quadruple pianissimo ending for the very opposite, milking (dare one say it) the audience for a thunderous round of applause, which he duly receives. Initial doubts about his commitment to the drama, however, are dispelled in Act 3 when he denies Amneris his hand and bids farewell to life entombed in the same temple from where he'd once been sent forth as conqueror. Price may not be a natural actress, but her singing throughout, particularly in the concluding farewell with Pavarotti ("O terra, addio"), is very touching. Stefania Toczyska is a compelling Amneris and never more so than when she's offering Radames a lifeline at the start of the last act. Brian Large's direction for video homes in on the salient points of the drama and also picks up on an uncomfortable looking extra or two in the "Grand March" where space on stage seems at a premium. With assured conducting from Garcia Navarro, this Aida is a very desirable acquisition. --Adrian Edwards
Taged as: Classical, Color, Forbidden Love, Interracial/Cross-Cultural Romance, Italian, Lavish, Love Triangles, Melancholy, Music, Musical Drama, Opera, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio, Opera/Operetta, Passionate, Performance, Performing Arts, Performing Arts - Opera, Star-Crossed Lovers, Stirring, Sweeping,
Verdi - Aida / Wanamaker, Price, Pavarotti, San Francisco Opera DVD Lyrics, Music, Reviews and Ratings Kultur Video
This spectacular 1981 San Francisco production of Aida, directed by Sam Wanamaker, boasts production values more commonly associated with Hollywood to portray scenes from the time of the Pharaohs, notably a striking interior for the temple of Vulcan from where Radames is sent forth on his mission to conquer the ... Reviews for Verdi - Aida / Wanamaker, Price, Pavarotti, San Francisco Opera Lyrics and DVD Free Online Videos Kultur Video
Classical, Color, Forbidden Love, Interracial/Cross-Cultural Romance, Italian, Lavish, Love Triangles, Melancholy, Music, Musical Drama, Opera, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio, Opera/Operetta, Passionate, Performance, Performing Arts, Performing Arts - Opera, Star-Crossed Lovers, Stirring, Sweeping,