The worst part of this performance are undoubtedly the cuts, Lili Chookasian's especially. Two of her "Ah vieni"s plus the end of her great "scena" from "empia razza" to the end of the scene. On top of which she was an excellent Amneris. As was every one. Zeani especially. Mehta delivered a brisk, focused performance. The sound was good but considering the quality of the performance could have been better

Despite the talent involved, this is a major disappointment. The main culprit is the in-house sound, taken from worn and distorted tapes which do the singers no favors. There are several major gaps in the recording and the Prelude is missing altogether. Even with Zubin Mehta on the podium this is a routine trudge through Aida. The most pleasant surprise is Virginia Zeani, who gives a performance that would do Leontyne Price proud. Lilli Chookasian gets a day off from character roles and makes the most of it. Jon Vickers did not have it in his constitution to give a uninteresting performance and the lower-voiced males are solid. Still, unless you must have everything Zeani (whom the distortions afflict the most) or Vickers did, then you can skip this recording.