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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: $15.71
You Save: $14.28 (48%)
New (31) Used (10) from $15.71
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 18907
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
Condition: Brand New & Factory Sealed, Made in the USA
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-7 of 7 | | « PREV | | |
 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.
Welcome DVD release June 20, 2004
20 out of 23 found this review helpful
This performance was telecast from San Francisco to Europe, and features a Pavarotti at the height of his powers. There is a lot of tight-angle camera work, which highlights the performers rather than the staging. The miking also is close -- and what a relief it is by comparison with the undermiking of singers that was common in those early days of televised opera. The 1997 Japanese laserdisc release of this performance received a magnificent audio and visual transfer. Therefore the forthcoming DVD has the potential for demonstration quality.
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