Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Jonel Perlea, Rome Opera Orchestra :: Verdi: Aida

Wonderful Aida

Raymond M. Bercse | 04/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This historical recording of Aida from July, 1955, continues to be exemplary. Zinka Milanov, one of the century's finest exponents of Aida, combines strength, conviction, and tenderness, thus resulting in a perfect interpretation. Now, in this current CD version on Urania, we are treated to a magnificent sounding recording, which has been restored using the latest technology. As a result, the voices have greater clarity and ring. For years, I thought that Milanov in the heavier passages sounded a little frayed. True, in 1955, the voice at times could sound a little edgier, but be reminded that her career began in 1927. With this superb restoration, her voice sounds more vibrant, and those ethereal piannisimo's can put the listener in a catatonic state.



Jussi Bjorling, although not a dramatic tenor has enough squillo to negotiate the climactic moments, and his mezza voce is enchanting. Fedora Barbieri's Amneris is voluptuous in tone, fiery and at the same time, regal. Leonard Warren as Amonasro seems a bit restrained, which suits his role as King of Ethiopia, but the tenderness he conveys at the end of the Aida and Amonasro duet in Act Three is quite poignant. Boris Christoff as Ramfis is properly authoritative and his tones are foreboding. Plinio Clabassi as The King of Egypt produces rich, velvety tones. Jonel Perlea's conducting is admirable and he brings the music to great heights. This Aida belongs in everyone's collection."

THE AIDA FOR THE AGES --- IN OUTSTANDING SOUND

L. Mitnick | Chicago, Illinois United States | 10/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are no words that can extol the greatness of this recording of Aida --- it must be experienced to be believed.

The new remastering has made it sound even more beautiful than ever before. The singers? With all due respect to Leontyne Price, Montserrat Caballe, Maria Callas, and Renata Tebaldi (I love and admire them all!) none of them on their respective recordings of Aida approaches the sound that emits from Milanov's throat. A few moments of roughness are so minimal that they mean nothing. Bjoerling was not by vocal nature a tenor equipped to keep Rhadames in his permanent repertoire (he did perform it in Chicago in 1957 for two performances), but on records, he brings it off beautifully. Truly, the singing he and Milanov do in the Tomb Scene amounts not to a sublime duet, but rather a transfiguration. Even when heard, it cannot be believed. Fedora Barbieri's Amneris ---- big, booming, explosive, venemous, and entirely convincing. Leonard Warren's Amonasro is equally outstanding, and his denounciation of Aida in the Nile Scene is awesome in it's power. No --- this cast never sang "Aida" together together on any stage, and it is Richard Mohr of RCA who brought this project to fruition in the summer of 1955. Jonel Perlea was not a frequent Verdi conductor, but with a cast like this, all he really needed to do was to let them sing ------ and how they sing!!!!! Plain and simple, this is the "Aida" against which all others must be measured. I've been listening to this recorded performance since my high school days, and I still haven't stopped. You all must have this in your library. It simply doesn't get better than this!"