One wonders why Galvany didn't have a bigger international career. Her Aida is strong, fierce, totally within her range and then some. Same can be said for Saldana as Amonasro. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Those Ethiopians had "spunk". Don' remember Theyard with quite so much "squillo" in his voice but. bravo. Chookasian could have pealed forth more volume, ire and dominance as Verdi intended. Peralta, hopefully started a trend, as I've heard live Eb's myself in Met offerings, once with a Met in the Parks with Millo and Berini and once inthe theater with Ludwig and Amara with her Eb. They weren't quite the same as the Bellas Artes soprani. Too soft and not worth the effort. But ladies, keep it up, it's a brilliant effect.

This is very interesting recording of Aida with highly competent cast. Galvany's voice is rich and beautiful. Her high E flat in Triumphal scene is excellent. Lili Chooaksian is good Amneris with amazing high notes. I am an admirer of Harry Theyard and I am very glad to have a new recording with him. His Radames is nicely sung from Celeste Aida to the end. It is nice to have him in a popular role. I like him as Cleomene in the studio recording of L' Assedio di Corinto with Beverly Sills, so it was really a treat to add this Aida to my collection. Marco Saldana is powerful, worth remembering Amonasro and John West is good Ramfis. Orchestra under Ochoa is quite good. Perhaps the noise to sound ratio here is a bit too high.

Marisa Galvany is often referred to as "that high note lady" and yes, she concludes the Triumphal scene with a thrilling E-flat. But she was much more than just a soprano who added high notes to her performances. Her Aida is very well sung. The "O patria mia" is beautifully phrased and capped with a dead-on and lovely top C. Her reactions to her father's demands in the subsequent scene are heartfelt and her duets with Theyard first-rate. She was an exciting singer who managed to have a memorable career without a major recording contract. She's not called a Pirate Queen for nothing!Theyard sings a very distinguished Radames. He joins Galvany on the high C in the Triumphal scene and phrases like the true professional he was. Chookasian almost steals the show as Amneris. She and Galvany trade chest tones in their big scene together like two pros, both determined to win (it's a tie!) She just has the B-flats in the penultimate scene, but concludes the scene with one of the most explosive high As I've ever heard. Marco Saldana is a fiery Amonasro with the right kind of voice for the part and John West is a sonorous Ramfis.The tapist concentrated on the soloists' music so don't expect to hear the prelude or choral music. The sound is from the audience (who are very vocal throughout), but the voices are clear if a little recessed. By the way, Galvany's Aida can also be heard on another Opera Depot release, but there she does NOT sing the E-flat.