Although Virginia Zeani's voice was not in the traditional mold of many of the great Aidas of her generation, she manages to bring a new dimension to the role. Her unique, slender yet lush soprano copes effortlessly with Verdi's writing while bringing a girlish quality that gives the impression Aida is a young woman caught in an impossible situation, rather than a warrior princess ready to take down an empire. This approach is especially effective in the Aida–Amneris duet, where she goes up against a formidable Grace Bumbry. Bumbry brings all the bluster and hysteria of a great Amneris without ever compromising the opulent purity of her instrument.

Gianfranco Cecchele is admirable as Radamès, without quite rising to the level of the female leads., although unfortunately the last five minutes of the triumphal scene are missing.