Interesting singers in a big performance: extra chorus basses, extra brass, big audience who applaud where I'm not used to... Was this maybe in the then-new Congress Palace? That would explain the impression. Fun to eaves-drop on Soviet Verdi IRL. The Melodiya recording from the fifties is more "normal".

Who cares if this is sung in Russian? This is an exciting performance with at least three memorable performances. Vishnevskaya, heard here in her vocal prime, sings as if her life depends on it. The very top can be a little strident, but the rest of the voice is that of a true Aida. Arhkipova offers another powerful portrayal. The Judgement scene is overwhelming in its intensity. Andy apparently doesn't care for Lisitian, but the Armenian baritone sings like a God here. His tone rings out with beauty and authority. Furthermore he portrays Amonasro with almost frightening vehemence: listen to his denunciation of his daughter in Act Three. Anzhaparidze sings with resonant tone as Radames though without the eloquence of Bergonzi. Petrov is a dour, implacable Ramfis. We also hear a rare baritone messenger in the first act. Melik-Pashaev leads a thrilling performance with great drama and flexibility. The chorus basses add low tonic notes to almost every ensemble as was their wont. The sound is very good. My copy has some weird noises for about 40 seconds right at the beginning of "Ritorna vincitor". It wasn't that way on the Ponto release (now out-of-print and very expensive).If you love Verdi, you should hear this!

A great performance by a cast of singers who could have been international stars if the Soviets had let them. Melik-Pashayev was a brilliant conductor whose work should be better known.

Not quite a great 'Aida' but certainly a very good one: I'd ike to have been there on the night! Definitely a victory for the ladies. Arkhipova is stunning in Act 4, Vishnevskaya excellent throughout; though curiously their Act 2 scene together doesn't really lift off dramatically. The men are weaker voice-actors: Andjaparidze is let down by a weak end to Act 3, but makes an ardent lover earlier on, and manages to turn in a fine resigned performance in Act 4, and his voice is always lovely to listen to. Amonasro is better than I'd expected based on the above notes, his and the other low-voiced roles characterised more by the generally lovely sound they make than by their voice-acting however. Everyone makes sure the words are clear, just a pity if (like me) your lack of Russian means you can't understand it anyway!! But most of the time the Russian language doesn't distract