Release Date: 30 June 2006
Label: Naxos - Historical / Naxos Historical
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 3
Barcode: 747313304226
Genres: Classical
Composer/Series: Verdi
Description
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) Aida Libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni after a story by Mariette Bey Aida - Zinka Milanov (soprano) Radam?â?¿s - Jussi Bjorling (tenor) Amneris - Fedora Barbieri (mezzo-soprano) Amonasro - Leonard Warren (baritone) Ramfis - Boris Christoff (bass) The King of Egypt - Plinio Clabassi (bass) A Messenger - Mario Carlin (tenor) Priestess - Bruna Rizzoli (soprano) Rome Opera House Orchestra and Chorus Giuseppe Conca, Chorus master Jonel Perlea, conductor Recorded 2 - 18 July 1955 in the Opera House, Rome First issued as RCA Victor LM-6122 Reissue Producer and Audio Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn It was during the summer of 1869 that Verdi was approached about writing a hymn for the forthcoming celebrations to mark the opening of the Suez Canal in November that year. The new Opera House is Cairo was also inaugurated with a performance of Verdi's Rigoletto. He declined and advised the authorities of dissatisfaction with the quoted fee. He eventually began, however, to have a change of heart, so that by February 1870 he was suggesting the possibility of accepting, now that his interest in composition was slowly returning. The idea of a work encompassing an Egyptian historical subject certainly interested him. The Khedive of Egypt, aided by the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, was determined to commission an opera specially composed for the new house. Mariette sent it to Camille du Locle, who had been one of the librettists of Don Carlos, a scenario he had devised. If it was somewhat conventional in plot, it contained enough local character and scenic possibilities. When shown to Verdi he was immediately attracted, seeking advice on Egyptian history and cultural backgrounds to music, religion and geography. Du Locle constructed a French prose libretto under Verdi's close supervision that was later converted into Italian by Antonio Ghislanzoni. The composer worked on his four-act opera during the months from July to November 1870. The premi?â?¿re was scheduled for January 1871 but was delayed because Paris, where the scenery that was being built, became engulfed in the Franco-Prussian War of that year. Incidentally, Verdi contributed part of his fee for Aida for the benefit of the French wounded in the war. The eventual first night occurred on 24 September 1871 at the Opera House in Cairo under Giovanni Bottesini, best remembered today as a double-bass virtuoso and composer. While Verdi wrote a number of spectacular passages in his opera, most notably the magnificent Triumphal Scene and Ballet Music in Act 2 after the Egyptians have defeated the Ethiopians in battle, the opera is really centred around the four principals. On the one hand we have the doomed lovers Aida and Radam?â?¿s, on the other the Egyptian Princess Amneris (who also loves Radam?â?¿s) and the Ethiopian King Amonasro (Aida's father). It is the power of father over daughter that eventually brings about the downfall and eventual de
Tracklisting
William Primrose
William Primrose
Vinay:Nbc So&Chorus:Toscanini
Vienna Po:Knappertsbusch
Vienna Po:Furtwangler
Vienna&Berlin Po:Furtwangler
Various Composer
Various (1923-1955)
