A fascinating historical document; many thanks for sharing it. There's not much subtlety or dynamic variety from the singers or the orchestra; one has only to look at Verdi's masterful dynamic markings to see what he wanted. For that reason, Price/Vickers, Milanov/Bjoerling and Callas/Tucker remain my absolute favorites in this music, conducted by the masterful Solti, Perlea, and Serafin.
Those you mention are excellent performances, and it is true that, in these old recordings, singers were not encouraged to sing softly, or to indulge in too many nuances that were only partially captured by the technology.
Still, I feel there is a forward-moving intensity, almost a rapture in the later stages of O terra addio that this performance captures so well (and the Ponselle/Martinelli version captures too) that is missing from those blander later versions.
I just listened to the Ponselle/Martinelli, and you are 100% correct about that one; Ponselle is miraculous, and Martinelli ardent and incredibly nuanced ( just listen to his amazing final Bb! ) in their passionate and totally believable performance; do you happen to know the identity of the Amneris in their recording?
I believe it is Grace Anthony. She often sang small parts in Victor early electrics.
I am delighted you enjoyed the Ponselle/Martinelli. They take a slower tempo (on 4 10-inch sides) which gives them more time to prepare some effects. I particularly like their ecstatic intoning of the long, mounting O Terra addio section.
@billyguns2 Hey, maybe it ain't the PERFECT Aida, but I wish I had heard singers anywhere close to this when I nearly barfed on myself at the MET a month ago. This is still one hell of a fine performance!
History said: no dislike.
I agree.
PERTILE SUBLIME.
kablue79 1 week ago
what a cast.ty.is this a complete opera or is this it?
hobo1975 1 year ago
Superb!
paulostroff99 1 year ago
Il Maestro spirituale per tutti i giovani tenori che si avvicinano allo studio del canto lirico.
Studiate da Pertile!!! Meraviglioso esempio.
romanke73 2 years ago
Que bueno !!!
maxmarce 2 years ago
This is a very neat presentation and great pictorial video opcel1. Aureliano Pertile and Dusolina Giannini are superb.
operbathosa 2 years ago
Sensational! Brava! Bravo!
paulostroff99 2 years ago
Both singers are indeed superb in this remarkable live performance. I had almost forgotten how great Giannina is.
meltzerboy 2 years ago
A fascinating historical document; many thanks for sharing it. There's not much subtlety or dynamic variety from the singers or the orchestra; one has only to look at Verdi's masterful dynamic markings to see what he wanted. For that reason, Price/Vickers, Milanov/Bjoerling and Callas/Tucker remain my absolute favorites in this music, conducted by the masterful Solti, Perlea, and Serafin.
billyguns2 3 years ago
Those you mention are excellent performances, and it is true that, in these old recordings, singers were not encouraged to sing softly, or to indulge in too many nuances that were only partially captured by the technology.
Still, I feel there is a forward-moving intensity, almost a rapture in the later stages of O terra addio that this performance captures so well (and the Ponselle/Martinelli version captures too) that is missing from those blander later versions.
AulicExclusiva 1 year ago
I just listened to the Ponselle/Martinelli, and you are 100% correct about that one; Ponselle is miraculous, and Martinelli ardent and incredibly nuanced ( just listen to his amazing final Bb! ) in their passionate and totally believable performance; do you happen to know the identity of the Amneris in their recording?
billyguns2 1 year ago
I believe it is Grace Anthony. She often sang small parts in Victor early electrics.
I am delighted you enjoyed the Ponselle/Martinelli. They take a slower tempo (on 4 10-inch sides) which gives them more time to prepare some effects. I particularly like their ecstatic intoning of the long, mounting O Terra addio section.
AulicExclusiva 1 year ago
@billyguns2 Hey, maybe it ain't the PERFECT Aida, but I wish I had heard singers anywhere close to this when I nearly barfed on myself at the MET a month ago. This is still one hell of a fine performance!
Cantormatis 1 year ago
Thank you for posting.
minnie888444 3 years ago
semplicemente stupendo!!! Come si fa a non commuoversi? Io sto piangendo...
8Micky4 3 years ago 2
Amazing audio.
Valebare 3 years ago