Verdi: Aida - Abbado - 1972 (Live Recording)

What a wonderful surprise! Even fans of Placido Domingo, who has recorded the role of Radames four times commercially 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.

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.


Artists
Martina Arroyo
Placido Domingo
Fiorenza Cossotto
Piero Cappuccilli
Luigi Roni
Nicolai Ghiaurov
Piero de Palma
Josella Ligi
La Scala Theater Orchestra & Chorus

Tracklist
Disc: 1
1. Preludio – Si: corre voce
2. Se quel guerrier io fossi
3. Quale insolita gioia
4. Alta cagion v’aduna
5. Ritorna vincitor!
6. Possente, possente Fthà!
7. Mortal, diletto ai Numi
8. Chi mai fra gli inni e i plausi
9. Fu la sorte dell’armi a’ tuoi funesta
10. Gloria all’Egitto e ad Iside
11. Marcia trionfale e ballabili
12. Vieni, o guerriero vindice
13. Salvator della patria: io ti saluto
14. Quest’assisa ch’io vesto

Disc: 2
1. O tu che sei d’Osiride
2. Qui Radamès verrà!…
3. Ciel! Mio padre!
4. Pur ti riveggo mia dolce Aida
5. Fuggiam gli ardori inospiti
6. L’aborrita rivale
7. Ohimè! Morir mi sento
8. Radamès! Radamès!…
9. La fatal pietra sovra me si schiuse
10. Presago il core della tua condanna… O terra addio