Verdi: Aida - Arroyo, Dunn, Cassilly, Ohanesian, Ridderbusch, Ghazarian; Klobucar. Wien, 1974

$8.95

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This is a decidedly Germanic Aida, but a little bit of the Wagnerian treatment always works well with this opera and the singers, fortunately, also demonstrate an affinity to Verdi style that gives this performance real legitimacy.
Martina Arroyo is sublime in the title role. Her luscious voice soars effortlessly over ensembles while still managing to scale back for the more intimate moments. I can't recall having heard a more perfect high C in "O patria mia".
Richard Cassilly got a lot of flack for his Met debut in this role a season earlier, but here he sings like an absolute god.
Mignon Dunn sets the stage ablaze as Amneris, David Ohanesian brings noble bravado to the role of Amonasro and Karl Ridderbusch is the very definition of luxury casting as Ramfis.