DVD : Verdi: Aida -- La Scala [1986]

Rating: - One For All Time
What is opera? An opera is a staged dramatic work that is set to music where the words are entirely or primarily sung. This definition may imply that the visual element is predominant to the uninitiated. Whilst this is important, an opera is so much more. Opera lives and dies by the music that accompanies the drama on stage. Where the words alone are sad, the music throws it into a whole other dimension making it heart wrenchingly poignant. If the words stir thought then the music aims straight for the soul and instinctive comprehension.

And so to this Aida that La Scala (thankfully) preserved for posterity. Surely it is one to hold up as a standard for it is beautifully sung by the principles and sympathetically backed up by the maestro and his orchestra in the pit. The musical part of this dvd easily holds it's own against any cd recording. Yes some would argue that the acting is not up to scratch compared to other Aidas on dvd but that would be to miss that the singing here is finer. And the La Scala staging is sumptuous feast for the eyes.

Yes Pavarotti may be a hundred pounds more than the ideal Radames would be but here we have him in his prime producing a thrilling timbre and an open top. And the two leading ladies Dimitrova and Chiara carry their parts ably. Maazel, too, plays his part leading the orchestra and chorus into shaping a performance that is never ponderous yet seemingly always providing time for certain passages to linger on. (Listen to Aida when she sings "Numi, pieta del mio soffrir" as a prime example of this.)

There are other Aidas on dvd but this is one to have first and foremost for the musical content.

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Rating: - An Aida to treasure
A cast like this is practically impossible to find or replicate today. Pavarotti and Dimitrova were in their prime (the latter would "progress" to the Aida rôle shortly afterwards) and Maria Chiara, in spite of a tentative start, amply shows that she still was in very fine form, her portrayal soon growing into a warmth and securenes seldom seen. The Ronconi production was spectacular and shed some of the traditions that tended to be the norm (like dancing, remember the ballets were asked for by Verdi to accomodate Parisian tastes when the original production moved from Cairo to Europe) and thence you will encounter the ballet music firstly to accomodate pranks by kids who brusquely interrupt the languor and peacefulness of Amneris's bath, and later to accompany some heavy labouring by slaves in the triumphal scene. Mazzel's conducting is precise and to the point, the La Scala orchestra irreproachable as is also the very idiomatic chorus. And what's more, to have Ghiaurov, Buchuladze and Pons to support Pavarotti, Chiara and Dimitrova as Amonasro, the Paraoh and Ramfis was a splendid luxury only a theatre like La Scala could attract. The opera was recorded live some 15 years ago and, along with the Met's rival version with Millo and Domingo on a DG dvd, belong in any collection. You can't go wrong with either, although I'd slightly prefer this La Scala production, in spite of the lack of ballet criticised by some colleague reviewers. And don't mind the (for me unobtrusive) nudity that accompanies the Amneris' bath scene, frowned upon from some corners in the USA: after all, it's only natural that people undress to bathe!