An inspired Domingo, a tremendously beautiful and sensitive Millo and the gorgeous dark sound of Zajcek made one of Verdi's masterpieces into a performance that will stay engraved in my mind forever. I envy the people who watched it live, because they witnessed history being made.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
@Ephany12 I have to disagree with you. I watched this performance when it was shown on TV in 1989, and both Milnes and Burchaladze are in downright POOR voice throughout - and the ballets looked CHEAP compared to previous Met productions. Millo has her moments, both positive and negative. Domingo and Zajick are both, indeed, outstanding, and so is Levine's conducting, but I felt that Zeffirelli's production was inferior to BOTH of the Met's previous efforts (Merrill's and Dexter's).
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
@Ephany12 Actually, the studio recording made for Sony Classical in 1990, with Millo, Zajick, Domingo, Morris, and Ramey, with Levine conducting, is MUCH better than this performance. And - aside from Simon Estes being wholly inadequate for the role of Amonasro and some facial over-emoting on Price's part in the Act II finale - so is the 1985 telecast of AIDA which served as Leontyne Price's farewell to the operatic stage.
I never heard her Aida in the house but this recorde version is so gorgeous. I went to her concert and first time I heard her since Ballos back in mid 90s with Pavarotti.. The beautiful velvet sound, the impeccable legato and phrasing all still intact.. voice is not as agile or gleaming at top as it once was and alas there was no pianissimo but she still was fabulous. Let's hope she comes back to the Met again in these next years.
When I first watched this on TV over 20 years ago I couldn´t help but cry. It was so touching. Immortal singing....I love this Met-Aida. Everytime I hear Millo/Zajick/Domingo it makes me sigh and gives me goosepimples...Thank you for posting it.
Congratulations to the Met audience for ruining it by clapping before it was over. Naturally, the sound of their applause is more touching and moving than hearing Verdi's final, solemn G-flat major chord in its entirety.
@nickfox2 You're so right (and if you're the same Nick Fox that I know from the CSL 2007 than I know you're hilarious too) I'd like to believe they couldn't help themselves at all (which tends to happen whenever Millo sings anything; spontaneous screaming in the audience and cries of ecstasy) When I saw her at Lincoln Centre last year it was the same thing - people were losing their minds because there isn't anything that compares to her. This whole production is pretty great.
@JJLaPonselle What up girl. So what I don't mind (in fact I love) is spontaneous, heartfelt applause and shrieks of ecstasy when something is so monstrously good that it defies belief. What I do mind (and in fact despise) is the tepid, obligatory, moment-ruining, self-important, self-congratulatory flapping of hands together which occurs at the Met whenever the curtain starts to close, despite the fact that there is still music playing that the composer felt was important and/or necessary.
@nickfox2 I completely agree. I thought the tepid, obligatory clapping was only a feature at the COC, but evidently it plagues even the best houses. Ideally, there should have been an awe-inspired silence, while everyone choked on their emotion and savoured and absorbed those last shimmering notes and THEN spontaneous, heartfelt applause. It's a shame.
@JJLaPonselle Absolutely. The most expressive thing in music is silence, particularly the silence before and after the music exists. At La Scala, if you clap before the music is completely done, you are violently shooshed by the rest of the audience. Hope you're doing well, Lalonde!
All three: Domingo, Millo and Zajick, are so committted to their characters, they totally made this come to life. Zajick could barely get out those last "Pace"'s and was holding back near noticable sobs. My voice teacher was in the audience and said there wasn't a dry eye in the house. As it is, I can barely keep myself from getting emotional watching this! Fabulous singing from Millo, Domingo and Zajick. Just incredible.
What an absolutely ravishing pianissimo Millo sings at 1:43 in this wonderful Verdi piece. In my opinion,opera composition does not get any better than this. Mille grazie Maestro Verdi. Che bellissima !
..If you can find a film copy of Mario Lanza, Dorothy Kirstin, with Blanche Thibom as Amneris, ...then..you will have reached the Zenith of Aida..and earn a gold star from me.
The story of this Opera gives me chills, it's so beautiful. I've made promises to myself that the only way I'll get married and forget about pursuing my Opera career is if I meet a man like Rhadames.
i always freak out when i hear this last aria...and you're right...amneris is in some ways the best part. she's left alone while the two lovers can be together for eternity.
Verdi forever.
Jan96106 1 month ago in playlist Liked videos
pity, pretty Amneris! I love Dolora's beautiful voice !!
kumadapoohsuke 4 months ago
Hmmm. Wouldn't have noticed it if you hadn't pointed that out. Thank you vs "Picky, picky, picky!"
I can understand an entire audience just doing what comes natural and the applause doesn't bother me either (as JJ points out). It's all good.
skbnvacaville 6 months ago
Bravo Aprile. Bravo Dolora. Bravissimas!
anthonela1 6 months ago
aida es inmortal..............
crismarcel76 8 months ago
Just flat out amazing.
crumikins 1 year ago
Loves it...
SandrineSoprano 1 year ago
An inspired Domingo, a tremendously beautiful and sensitive Millo and the gorgeous dark sound of Zajcek made one of Verdi's masterpieces into a performance that will stay engraved in my mind forever. I envy the people who watched it live, because they witnessed history being made.
Giovannilinverno 1 year ago 5
These last few moments are among the most beautiful in all opera. Simply gorgeous.
jazmyn0549 1 year ago
so beutiful T_T
theshinjiheart 1 year ago
Brilliant rendtion. My favourite opera of all time.
MsTrenchant 1 year ago
this is ny far the best aida i have ever seen in 50 yeas of going to the opera
Ephany12 2 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@Ephany12 I have to disagree with you. I watched this performance when it was shown on TV in 1989, and both Milnes and Burchaladze are in downright POOR voice throughout - and the ballets looked CHEAP compared to previous Met productions. Millo has her moments, both positive and negative. Domingo and Zajick are both, indeed, outstanding, and so is Levine's conducting, but I felt that Zeffirelli's production was inferior to BOTH of the Met's previous efforts (Merrill's and Dexter's).
jmccracken1963 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@Ephany12 Actually, the studio recording made for Sony Classical in 1990, with Millo, Zajick, Domingo, Morris, and Ramey, with Levine conducting, is MUCH better than this performance. And - aside from Simon Estes being wholly inadequate for the role of Amonasro and some facial over-emoting on Price's part in the Act II finale - so is the 1985 telecast of AIDA which served as Leontyne Price's farewell to the operatic stage.
jmccracken1963 1 year ago
OMG!Amazing!
SopranoLeggero 2 years ago 2
=,(
<3
1PetiteMome 2 years ago
There's only one word for this video: EXQUISITE!
LanzaLover2 2 years ago
MAGNIFIQUE SUPERBE WONDERFUL !!!!
Merci Ursula pour cette vidéo *****
danieplaci2 2 years ago
Que piano! DIOSAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
laurabellisoprano 2 years ago
In the mid 90's I hear D Z at the MEt in THIS several times....she was ...how can I out this? God herself!
ugotitbabe000 2 years ago
my god, your heart stops at 1:42--- stunning. and by reports i am reading of her recital yesterday, she still sounds good.
judycadana 2 years ago
I never heard her Aida in the house but this recorde version is so gorgeous. I went to her concert and first time I heard her since Ballos back in mid 90s with Pavarotti.. The beautiful velvet sound, the impeccable legato and phrasing all still intact.. voice is not as agile or gleaming at top as it once was and alas there was no pianissimo but she still was fabulous. Let's hope she comes back to the Met again in these next years.
eastfiftyseven 2 years ago
@aa4285: I envy you. I really do. May you enjoy a wonderful everning at the Met. Cry a few tears for me too....;-)
jackarose 2 years ago
On Novemeber 6th, 2009 I will be at the MET hearing and seeing AIDA with Dolora Zajick. Can't wait!!!
aa4285 2 years ago
When I first watched this on TV over 20 years ago I couldn´t help but cry. It was so touching. Immortal singing....I love this Met-Aida. Everytime I hear Millo/Zajick/Domingo it makes me sigh and gives me goosepimples...Thank you for posting it.
jackarose 2 years ago
Congratulations to the Met audience for ruining it by clapping before it was over. Naturally, the sound of their applause is more touching and moving than hearing Verdi's final, solemn G-flat major chord in its entirety.
nickfox2 2 years ago 18
@nickfox2 You're so right (and if you're the same Nick Fox that I know from the CSL 2007 than I know you're hilarious too) I'd like to believe they couldn't help themselves at all (which tends to happen whenever Millo sings anything; spontaneous screaming in the audience and cries of ecstasy) When I saw her at Lincoln Centre last year it was the same thing - people were losing their minds because there isn't anything that compares to her. This whole production is pretty great.
JJLaPonselle 11 months ago
@JJLaPonselle Is this Jessica?
nickfox2 11 months ago
@nickfox2 You got it!
JJLaPonselle 11 months ago
@JJLaPonselle
nickfox2 11 months ago
@JJLaPonselle What up girl. So what I don't mind (in fact I love) is spontaneous, heartfelt applause and shrieks of ecstasy when something is so monstrously good that it defies belief. What I do mind (and in fact despise) is the tepid, obligatory, moment-ruining, self-important, self-congratulatory flapping of hands together which occurs at the Met whenever the curtain starts to close, despite the fact that there is still music playing that the composer felt was important and/or necessary.
nickfox2 11 months ago 2
@nickfox2 I completely agree. I thought the tepid, obligatory clapping was only a feature at the COC, but evidently it plagues even the best houses. Ideally, there should have been an awe-inspired silence, while everyone choked on their emotion and savoured and absorbed those last shimmering notes and THEN spontaneous, heartfelt applause. It's a shame.
JJLaPonselle 11 months ago 2
@JJLaPonselle Absolutely. The most expressive thing in music is silence, particularly the silence before and after the music exists. At La Scala, if you clap before the music is completely done, you are violently shooshed by the rest of the audience. Hope you're doing well, Lalonde!
nickfox2 11 months ago
All three: Domingo, Millo and Zajick, are so committted to their characters, they totally made this come to life. Zajick could barely get out those last "Pace"'s and was holding back near noticable sobs. My voice teacher was in the audience and said there wasn't a dry eye in the house. As it is, I can barely keep myself from getting emotional watching this! Fabulous singing from Millo, Domingo and Zajick. Just incredible.
voceangelo 2 years ago
What an absolutely ravishing pianissimo Millo sings at 1:43 in this wonderful Verdi piece. In my opinion,opera composition does not get any better than this. Mille grazie Maestro Verdi. Che bellissima !
CraigFrancisSoto 2 years ago
I thought this 1989 Televised performance was supurb.
Tsaravitch 2 years ago
Aprile millo is such a wonderful and versatile soprano. Che bellissima voce. Brava Mille ,Domingo e Zajick !
CraigFrancisSoto 2 years ago
millo and zajick....what a pair. If angels in heaven sang opera, this is what they would sound like!
thornolie 3 years ago 2
I've already listened several times to that glorious note that Aprile Millo sustains at around minute 1:39. It is so gorgeous.
lmspr 3 years ago 20
Aprile Millo does it better than anybody...
fernandobicudo 2 years ago 3
Total agreement. The best rendition of this scene I can find on the internet, for that note, the great staging, and despite the overeager crowd.
MrJim195 1 year ago
..If you can find a film copy of Mario Lanza, Dorothy Kirstin, with Blanche Thibom as Amneris, ...then..you will have reached the Zenith of Aida..and earn a gold star from me.
lredmon 3 years ago 2
Yay for UW-Madison Music 101 students who had to watch this for class!
mestupkidd 3 years ago
one of my favorite songs ever. thanks for posting this!
halfasecond 3 years ago
The story of this Opera gives me chills, it's so beautiful. I've made promises to myself that the only way I'll get married and forget about pursuing my Opera career is if I meet a man like Rhadames.
WingsOfAnAngel42 3 years ago
.......WINGS.......ahem...(wink)..
lredmon 3 years ago
i always freak out when i hear this last aria...and you're right...amneris is in some ways the best part. she's left alone while the two lovers can be together for eternity.
beckerpwnsyou 3 years ago 3