Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Oliviero de Fabritiis, Mexico City Orquesta del Palacio de Bellas Artes :: Verdi: Aida

BEST SOUNDING VERSION OF THIS PERFORMANCE YET!

L. Mitnick | Chicago, Illinois United States | 11/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This performance has become so famous to Callas fans that it hardly merits a detailed review. This is "that famous" Aida where Callas takes a top E flat at the end of Act II, ------ and it's a doozy! She sustains it over the chorus and orchestra and it's obvious that the audience loved it. Elsewhere, Callas' singing is fiery, compelling, as well as a bit overwrought. She's in stupendous voice throughout and she obviously knew it. Del Monaco is at his stentorian best, and as a true dramatic tenor, has no problem commanding the music. Giuseppe Taddei was one of the leading baritones of his time, and his Amonasro is a good representation of his work. However, one one here who really gives Callas a good run for her money is the Mexican mezzo Oralia Dominguez, whose Amneris dominates every scene she's in. The Aida-Amneris interview scene is a thrill a minute (Callas' Aida is not going to be cowed by Amneris!), and Dominguez' singing in the last Act might just possibly make her the best Amneris to be heard anywhere. Oliviero de Fabritiis' orchestra sounds much better on this edition than on the EMI Callas edition, and the orchestra in general sounds more vivid. That said, the sound is still not perfect - one minor drop-out which is of such duration that it counts for nothing. Perhaps some occasional sonic distortion, but it's very minimal. The voices come through in spades. Ah, to have present in at the Pallacio del Artes in Mexico City on the evening THIS performance took place!!~"