VHS : Verdi - Aida / Maazel, Chiara, Pavarotti, La Scala
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In association with Amazon.com
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starring: Paata Burchuladze, Ghena Dimitrova, Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Chiara, Nicolai Ghiaurovdirected by: Derek Bailey
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786304469514
Format: Classical, Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
ISBN: 6304469519
Label: Kultur Video
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Kultur Video
Release Date: April 29, 1997
Running Time: 160 minutes
Sales Rank: 37429
Studio: Kultur Video
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video:
La Scala went all out for its 1986 production of this grandest of grand operas, with a strong cast and, most important for a video recording, a larger-than-life staging. The Triumph Scene in Act II is by no means Aida's only attraction, but it is the part that makes the strongest and most lasting impression and it is the visual and musical climax of this production. Stage director Luca Ronconi brings on a procession to dwarf all processions: looted treasures, heroic statuary, miserable captives struggling under the lash of whip-bearing slave drivers. On par with these visuals is Lorin Maazel's first-class performance of the popular Grand March with the outstanding La Scala chorus and orchestra. In Act III, the contrasting tranquility of the Nile Scene also gets a visual treatment to match the music's qualities.
When it is not an epic spectacle, Aida is a tragic story of love, jealousy, and horrible revenge. The shifting focus between vast spectacle and intimate moments--sometimes awkward in a live performance onstage--presents special opportunities and challenges for a video recording. In this Aida, the camera work shows an acute awareness of those opportunities and challenges.
The soloists have a variety of strengths that outweigh a few small weaknesses. Luciano Pavarotti sings one of his signature roles in superb voice, but his weight problems are visually evident and detract from his impact as the dashing hero Radames. Maria Chiara has moments of vocal imperfection but gives a dramatically compelling performance. Ghena Dimitrova sings powerfully and the supporting cast is excellent throughout. --Joe McLellan
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Forgettable, but has its strong points
CRITICISM:
1. If you know the opera very well and can handle the Italian, tough. There's no way to get Italian subtitles (on either the PAL or the NTSC version).
2. The "grand march" (musically intended to be the most magical moment of this opera) was inanely choreographed. According to the libretto, they're supposed to be bringing in "the spoils of war," as they dance to the music. Instead we have a bunch of guys dragging giant statues around the stage with ropes. The famous ... Read More
Rating:  - not perfect, but not trash, either
First off, I must address the reviewer who criticized the nude women in Amneris' bath scene. This production was staged in Italy, where the native population does not giggle like a schoolgirl at the sight of a woman's bare breast. The nude women, all chosen according to the model of classic female beauty, added an element of sensousness, not lewdness. If they were so lewd, why would they cover up when the group of small boys burst onto the stage?
As other reviewers have stated, this production ... Read More
Rating: - Visually interesting, poor acting
I found this a very interesting presentation of a very popular and famous opera. Of course, we all know that Aida is to take place in Egypt, however, I wasn't sure if Egypt was the country in which the story was taking place, or exactly which time period it was taking place in. Not one bit of the costuming (or the sets) appeared Egyptian in the slightest degree, and strange as it sounds, the entire opera seemed to be more something from the "Arabian Nights" than the days of the Pharoah's. Putting that aside, visually, ... Read More
Rating: - Gran Aida.
A nivel general esta es una gran version de Aida, comenzando por la puesta en escena de LUCA RONCONI, bella y coherente visualmente en todo momento, sin los alardes tipicos de la obra, pero con un inteligente movimiento de figurantes.
Luego, en el apartado vocal tenemos al sobresaliente Radames de LUCIANO PAVAROTTI, en uno de sus dias de gloria, a la poderosa Amneris de GHENA DIMITROVA (sin los medios de la Zajick, pero muy notable tambien) y a esos lujos para los papeles secundarios que se llaman PAATA BURDZULADZE ... Read More
Rating: - Out-Heroding Aida
The singing was wonderful, but the staging ranged from distracting to hilarious.
You like slaves? This production has them in abundance, cluttering up the action, groaning and moaning as they pull and push stones and monuments like a pack of crack-smoking ants. They were especially annoying in the triumphal scene, where the chorus could barely squeeze on stage, cowering in the background while the over-acting wretches took center stage. (Hey slaves! Triumphal celebration going on! Take five!)
It ... Read More
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