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| Verdi - Aida / Wanamaker, Price, Pavarotti, San Francisco Opera | 
 enlarge | Director: Brian Large
Actors: Margaret Price, Luciano Pavarotti, Stefania Toczyska, Simon Estes, Kurt Rydl
Studio: Kultur Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $9.50
You Save: $20.49 (68%)
New (22) Used (1) from $9.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 21697
Format: Classical, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: Italian (Original Language), English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 163
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D2251D
ISBN: 0769722512
UPC: 032031225190
EAN: 9780769722511
ASIN: B00023BN5G
Theatrical Release Date: 1981
Release Date: June 29, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Similar Items:
| • | Puccini - La Boheme / Pavarotti, Scotto, Niska, Wixell, Plishka, Levine, Metropolitan Opera | | • | Verdi - Rigoletto / Luciano Pavarotti, Ingvar Wixell, Edita Gruberova, Victoria Vergara, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Riccardo Chailly | | • | Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore | | • | Verdi - Un Ballo in Maschera / Levine, Pavarotti, Nucci, Metropolitan Opera | | • | Puccini - Il Tabarro / Leoncavallo - I Pagliacci / Stratas, Domingo, Pavarotti, Pons, Quivar, Croft, Levine, Metropolitan Opera |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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
Description
In this San Francisco Opera production, Verdi's enduring masterpiece of musical theatre, Aida, is a marvellous blend of human emotion and grand spectacle, full of Egyptian pomp and pageantry. In Sam Wanamaker's lavish production, highly acclaimed for its extraordinary musical performances, Margaret Price is outstanding as the Ethiopian slave, Aida, Luciano Pavarotti makes a triumphant debut in the role of Radames, commander of the Egyptian Army, and the entire performance is masterfully shaped by the Spanish conductor, Garcia Navarro.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
Memorable Performance May 7, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a noteworthy addition to any collector's library. The singing is exemplary and production eye-popping.
As far as Pavarotti's ignoring the indicated triple pianos at the end of "Celeste Aida," what tenor, inicluding Caruso, hasn't made this a "show piece" singing full volume? It's now expected, and audiences feel cheated. So it's become a moot point (a la Adrian Edward's Amazon.com editorial).
Margaret Price's is outstanding, while Simon Estes is powerful, singing pretty much at top volume throughout. The triumphal scene is spectacular, and tomb finale emotionally moving.
This is a hard piece to photograph, and the camera work does well enough. All in all, a fine collector's item.
 Verdi - Aida / Wanamaker, Price, Pavarotti, San Francisco Opera July 27, 2005
8 out of 19 found this review helpful
I regret not ordering the La Scala version, which I have seen, for I found both the picture and sound quality of this one so poor that I may never watch it all the way through. A professional review I read, alas, only after buying it said that the poor quality probably reflected the relatively early date on which it was recorded.
Glitzy, Gaudy Spectacle April 18, 2005
23 out of 23 found this review helpful
There's a little too much gold lame on display here for my taste, but for those who like their opera productions big and flashy, this "Aida" should thrill. Pavarotti, looking downright boyish at times, is in beautiful voice, as is Margaret Price, his leading lady. (On the other hand, her wild eyes and melodramatic gestures have to go.) Unfortunately, Simon Estes as Aida's father is from the louder is better school of opera singing, but, hey, he's not around too long. The real news for me is Stefania Toczyska, who's remarkable as Amneris. I thought the Met's Delora Zajick owned this part, but Toczyska gives her a run for her money. Superbly sung, dramatically valid, this is one of those performances that gets you hunting for more of her...only this seems to be it on DVD. Too bad, but grab it while you can. As for the production, when I stopped looking for taste and gave myself up to the tacky opulence, I found myself enjoying it a lot. Kinda like Zeffirelli's "Turandot," though on a smaller scale. And it's "Aida," after all, so, really, how can you go wrong?
 Aida /M Price / Pavarotti / Tozcyska /Estes March 22, 2005
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Reviewer: Gordon Sholes (Denver CO)
I have also the '91 Met Aida - Domingo, Millo, Zajick etc. The San Francisco version is one of the greatest. It's unusual to have such a good visual and audio restoration of an '81 performance. W e are fortunate to have one of Pavarotti and the other principles when they were in their prime. It's worth having for that reason alone. Each version has its own good scenes such as Zajick's strong performance as Amneris in act IV of the Met's version. Also in the San Francisco version, Simon Estes' strong performance as Amonasro in the duet Ciel, Mio padre! portrays a regal commander of the Egyptian army. This resulted in excellent casting.
Which version one likes best will depend on one's preference for singers. Very few will regret buying the San Francisco one. (there are always a few)
THE OTHER "PRICE" March 14, 2005
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
I am sure that Margaret Price will be remembered primarily as a supreme performer of Lieder. However, to me, she was also wonderful in the few operatic roles she took on with this DVD of Aida being an excellent example of how good she was as an opera performer. (I place this recording right up there with my other favorite operatic recording that she did-Verdi's Masked Ball with Solti) Her Aida is great aurally and visually. She pours out great sound-exhibiting loads of power along with her known ravishing pianissimos. She fails to "nail" O Patria Mia; however, everything else is great especially her final duet with Pavarotti. I can remember friends of mine that were members, at the time of this performance, of the San Francisco Opera Chorus saying that Margaret Price was very unhappy during this "run" of Aida (she cancelled one performance with Leontyne Price (!!) substituting for her) This sadness comes across as vulnerability (very touching) in the performance. She indeed looks very sad during bows; anyway, she performs that dear ole girl Aida wonderfully. I can remember, at the time, Margaret was referred to as the "other" Price with Leontyne being, of course, first.; nevertheless, I do feel, in this performance of Aida, she "stands on her own" as an opera performer not being second to any one. The BIG star of these performances of Aida was, of course, Luciano Pavarotti (making his debut in the role of Radames).
Pavarotti, at this time, was in his vocal prime. Once past "Celeste Aida", he settles down and gives a great performance singing with power, beauty and tenderness. Never a great actor, he is very much involved and with the sound he is making one soon forgets that he wasn't a good actor-after all opera, to me, is foremost about voice At this time Luciano's voice was a spendid instrument indeed. His big scene with Stefania Toczyska as Amneris is great.
Stefania Toczyska as Amneris is splendid. She is at one moment ripping the Pyramids down with the power of her voice and artistry and at the next moment expressing Amneris' hurt and love of Radames with much tenderness. At the time of this performance she was a gorgeous woman making the role of Amneris very exciting both vocally and visually! Brava!
I am afraid that Simone Estes makes for an unrelentingly LOUD Amoroso exhibiting the kind of singing that kept him from becoming the supreme operatic bass that he should have become.
The production is wonderful with all of the scenery and costumes being extremely beautiful!
Garcia Navarro conducts the opera with passion and plenty of tenderness holding the vast resources together masterfully.
The sound and picture qualities on this DVD are superb. If you love Verdi's Aida do yourself a favor and buy this disc.
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