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Aida
The obvious attraction of this otherwise “regional” performance of Aida is Beverly Sills in the title role. Aida is hardly the kind of part one associates with Sills, yet she approaches it with the same intelligence and understanding of how her voice works that made her such a distinguished Norma. The result is quite convincing, and at no point does she seem out of her depth.
The remainder of the cast is more uneven. Irene Kramarich is a standout as Amneris, bringing a rich contralto color to the part together with striking command of its considerable vocal challenges. Vincent Donato is less successful as Radamès. Although he manages the role’s technical demands, his musicianship is less persuasive.
The orchestral playing is dreadful, though one has to applaud the ambition of a city such as Paterson, New Jersey, in attempting a work as monumental as Aida.
Track List
Act I
1. Sì: corre voce che l'Etiope
2. Quale insolita gioia nel tuo sguardo
3. Su! del Nilo al sacro lido
4. Ritorna vincitor!
2. Quale insolita gioia nel tuo sguardo
3. Su! del Nilo al sacro lido
4. Ritorna vincitor!
Act II
5. Chi mai fra gl'inni e i plausi
6. Fu la sorte
7. Che veggo!... Egli!... Mio padre!
8. O Re: pei sacri Numi
6. Fu la sorte
7. Che veggo!... Egli!... Mio padre!
8. O Re: pei sacri Numi
Act III
9. Ciel! mio padre!
10. Pur ti riveggo, mia dolce Aida...
11. Tu!... Amonasro!... tu!... il Re?...
10. Pur ti riveggo, mia dolce Aida...
11. Tu!... Amonasro!... tu!... il Re?...
Act IV
12. La fatal pietra sovra me si chiuse...
13. Vedi?... di morte l'angelo
13. Vedi?... di morte l'angelo
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4.5
Based on 2 reviews
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Sills is Great, but More of this Performance Exists!
Here we have Beverly Sills singing a role most would say is too heavy for her. In fact, she sang it a number of times after this out in Colorado. At this point, she wasn't singing "off the voice" as she would in Roberto Devereux much later on. Her singing is very beautiful and she never forces. How disappointing then that this disc does NOT include "O Patria mia!". This does exist: it was on a Legendary Recordings LP years ago and there is Sills CD-Rom that included it as well. Furthermore a recently published clip of the final moments of the Triumphal Scene on YouTube concludes with Sills singing an excellent E-flat. That take is not on this disc either (it most be from another performance).Donato has a good voice, but doesn't know the role as well as he might. Kramarich is a fine Amneris - a pity none of her Judgement Scene is here. The Amonasro, Vincent Mincielli, is also good. In fact, all the singers are at least acceptable. The sound is listenable and sounds like it's pitched correctly. Too bad this doesn't exist complete. And especially too bad the "O Patria mia!" is missing!
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