In this heart-pounding, taut performance of Aida, Birgit Nilsson steps slightly out of her comfort zone to deliver a surprisingly idiomatic portrayal of the Ethiopian princess. Heard at her considerable best in a gripping rendition of ”Ritorna vincitor”, she also gives real dramatic fire to the confrontation duet alongside the imperious, impeccably sung Amneris of Giulietta Simionato. Cornell MacNeil is a powerful, sinister Amonasro, and Nicolai Ghiaurov is an unusually impactful Ramfis. Pier Miranda Ferraro's Radamès is slightly less appealing, though the voice is certainly impressive, and there's a strong turn from Agostino Ferrin as the King. Nino Sanzogno conducts.