Although I like her Aida much, there is a singer who did it better, and I want you guys to know it......it is Arangi-Lombardi. She is much better; unfortunately due to the quality of old record I am not sure if you will be able to grasp it right away, but try...you won't regret. Brava Mrs. Price.
I haven't seen this broadcast recording before. It's fascinating to see after having seen her 1985 Met farewell broadcast so many times. Her voice is still flawless 25 years later and that performance is incredibly moving, but she ACTS so beautifully here. You can see her do many of the same gestures in the Met broadcast, and in many ways her voice became richer and more nuanced, but she's so convincing in the role in this performance and it's wonderful to her as a young Aida.
Leontyne said of Aida: my skin is the costume. The reason she is considered the greatest Aida of all time is not only the perfect singing but because she identified with the character & related to her. Aida is Ethiopian, a dark-skinned people. She is a slave and in a humble position; much like African Americans were in the 19th century & early 20th century. Her success as Aida was a great boost for the Civil Rights movement. She is the truest Aida you can ever find. SHE IS THE BEST AIDA
I didn´t like it, It thrilled me to the point I think I have experienced the greatest impression opera has offered to me everytime I hear Price singing O patria mia! Outstanding among the best ones!
I love Leontyne's performance of this song, because she sings with her emotions. And she doesn't just sing the song - she gives her audience a heart-felt and memorable performance. Thank you for posting this. Everyone should view this woman's gift.
Was there ever a voice more suited to this music? This is early in her career, and the voice hasn't acquired that thickness of sound it later did. Sheer perfection.
What a sound. Rich, warm, expressive, sensual, SEXY and downright beautiful. I've loved Price ever since I first heard her on a Met Opera "Aida" broadcast in 1976:) --
The world is lucky to have had this voice, and this person, with this technique and such a voluptuous sound, to sing this music. Why must such perfection always come to an end? Can we put her back on stage?Please!
I love this role because this was when her career really started to jump off, 6 years before her Met Debut she wasn't singing this role in big houses yet, but she was great in the small studio. Then the 1959-60 recordings, than the '61 Met debut, then a decade of amazing recodings/opera performances in her absolute prime. Oh Leontye, I kind of worship you.
Pure beauty! An Angel's voice from Heaven. The wonderful Leontyne. What an artist! Yes, the best Aida! Only wish Verdi could have heard her sing the role!
Fraseggio suberbo, acuti sostenuti puliti e brillanti, accento verdiano perfetto, legato da manuale, probabilmente ci troviamo davanti alla migliore Aida del dopoguerra
You may not be able to appreciate Price but to call her voice grotesque !! Why this unnecessary provokation? When commenting on on the pros and cons of the artists why stoop to this level ? Listen to her Gonoud´s Ave Maria. Is that at PETITE voice ? Are you, by chance, a Head Banger´s fan or where did you come up with such an incompetent notion ?
I think you're clueless! The greatest spinto ever called petite voice? You ignorant pampero please stop saying comments that are obviously wrong 'cause right now you have been evidenced as an asshole!
r u people crazy? price was queen of verdi roles? callas is one of the greats (in part becauae of her great stage presence, but with her thin voice theres no way one could call her the best aida...come on.
She was the best Aida in the history of Opera ever... even better than Maria Callas!!!!! it is a fact! in reality, Aida could be a black, because she was egyptian... so, what a amazing coincidence?!.... BRAVO LEONTYNE PRICE
Unfortunately yoou are wrong Stome3139 !!!! by your words you just revealed that you know just a bit in belcanto! I am a singer, and I really know what is difficult and easy in this sphere. go a listen to the recording of Maria Callas as Aida and you will found my words very right!!!
You are so funny talking about Titans. who are you?-noone and nothing!I told that you know just a bit in belcanto,didn't I? but now i am completely ensured that you know absolutely nothing! I didn't say that Maria is my model. her recording is really best ever. just you are duff!!! bye
How little you know about Aìda....Callas Aìda studio version is very bad.You cannot teach anything to me because for what I read you don't know anything about what a great Aìda is.Franco Corelli is a great tenor but there are half a dozen better tenors than he , in his register lyrical-spinto
Only one between us that knows nothing about Aida is just you!!! Callas' Aida is best ever! and you are diletant in this sphere and be quiet thats better to you! i amnt interested in your oppinions about Corelli. you should improve yourself otherwise just shut up! never comment me. bye
Poor Stome you should listen to Callas Aida, but with the HUGE attention this time: how she sings the words:"Di mai piu" or "Vedro". dont make any comments about me as a singer, because you have never listened to my recordings! I have my Model in singing that is Franco Corelli
Ethiopian, actually!Aida was Ethiopian according to the libretto!And obviously she was black.Bravissima Price!indeed she owns Aida!But Callas didn't do a bad job on it either.
examining and discussing is great but tearing down serves no one. the sword one wields is the same sword one must suffer. if you have not had a singing career, criticism is a sign of ignorance
I love when people argue over such miniscule matters: who is the better Aida, etc....get a life!! What is clear from this clip is that Leontyne Price sang this aria exquisitely, in her prime and probably without peer.
THERE ARE two greatest Aidas by me and a lot of people arround the world. One is Mrs.Price the other is Mrs. Zinka Milanov, period.
All voices in the world, present, or past have their uniquines and are recognizable.Each opera goer or lover has different ear and taste, its the same with the pictures in the gallery different people are seeing differently. Any how anyine who can do ART in higher level is worthy walking on this small world. Long live the OPERA
hahaha Milanov is horrible in her Aìda studio version, she misses and screams all Cs on 2nd act and her voice sounds like grandmama voice, Milanov phrasing is very bad as well and on third act she sings a very small and tight C in O patria mia.
I am remembering Milanov Aìda studio version, she is in terrible shape, she even screams the Bflats, starting with a painful Ritorna vincitor,the note on "nostri opressor..." Ahh ! ON Bflat is a scream and she goes on screaming all Bflats, B and Cs till the end.And her phrasing , she seems and old hen
When u have seat in any great opera house plqued with your name after long and successful carear, than we can talk. Shooting with flat, sharp, B's,C's, doesn't make you competent and reliable source. Before listening any music in the future, please clean your ears deeeeeply.
Perhaps you can upload a demo of how italian opera should be done. What about a clip of you singing, directing or giving a master class? All of the true greatest Masters in History were generous enough to share their talents with the world. Why don't you do it yourself so we can be delighted with your expertise?
When one sees Aida one likes to be able to hear the Aida soaring in the soprano line in the triumphal scene.Price could never be heard, in this perhaps her most famous role.
trepicione or potrobsas: you're a living proof of what I had mentioned earlier: most likely reminiscent nazi sickly trying to spread some futile slander against Price's legacy. Può il Gran Dio avere misericordia sulla vostra anima misera.
trepicione?trepicioni?potrobsas? although your opinion lacks reliable inference, you're entitled to it. Nevertheless, it's refreshing to find the vast majority of listeners will not share it. I stand by my own: Leontyne Price's Aida's been unsurpassed.
Price did not know how italian opera should be done.One no need mora than play "presago il core della tua condana" to rpove Price was unable to sing Aìda, Verdi and Puccini beyond her high notes were uninteresting and she had no power
protobsas (now one can really tell it's you). It's illogical at very least to say that the world's MOST awarded operatic singer "had no power". And I also stand by my opinion about your behavior: beneath your "pseudo-intellectual-aware-of-musical-notation" speech, lies an envious entity full of hatred towards anyone native or related to the U.S. You're delusional and your comments make no sense whatsoever, let alone the racist conotation.
I would expect this kind of nastiness on a Supremes blog or some site discussing lifestyle site discussing the looks of someone but to tear down one of the greatest voices of the last 50 years is surprising. Her bel canto may not be to your liking but it is an astounding voice.
Let's bear in mind this article brings up Italian critics commenting on her Aida in Milan. Let alone her later success in the role at home a couple of years later. The article testifies, amongst others, two most relevant factors:1) Leontyne Price is Aida, in all senses, to all effects.2) She had to fight and overcome prejudice in order to prove that. And she still does. Yet nowadays, sadly enough there's sick reminiscent nazi trying to bash her legacy.
"Brava, Leonessa!" cried someone in the audience, while a second voice corrected: "She is more like a panther than a lioness." Said one critic: "Our great Verdi would have found her the ideal Aïda." When another critic regretted that Soprano Price's color might keep her from other parts, a Scala official promised that there would be no color bar: "The public will have to get used to it. If she sings Butterfly and anybody objects, we'll say she's a suntanned Butterfly."
Time Magazine May 30th 1960: "Handling her big, liquid soprano voice with faultless accuracy, Singer Price achieved an Aïda that was at once feline and tender, sweet and aggressive. She won bravas after her opening trio with Radames and Amneris (a place in the opera that has not drawn applause at La Scala in years), got many more ovations as she ranged effortlessly from finespun pianissimos to brilliantly ringing fortes. ..."
After watching to videos like this, I'm sure Price was the best Aida ever! Her sensual, vibrant and unique timbre fits the deep and exotic vocal lines of Aida perfectly and she clearly masters the Verdian phrasing! It's a flawless vocal performance, indeed, but what makes Aida her own is that complete identification with the role. It's as if Aida was a sort of Price's ancestral in Africa and reincarnates in the 20th century. All of Aida's feelings are so credible trough her voice and expression!
exquisite ...
sookiestackhouse2u 1 week ago
Dam, this is good!!!! Dam!!!!
RImusclebear1 3 months ago
Sorry to you all, but Leontyne Price is simply the best. Period.
WST052ny 6 months ago 2
The Human Voice! The Leontyne Price! they are both the same!
vivaverdi8 8 months ago
Although I like her Aida much, there is a singer who did it better, and I want you guys to know it......it is Arangi-Lombardi. She is much better; unfortunately due to the quality of old record I am not sure if you will be able to grasp it right away, but try...you won't regret. Brava Mrs. Price.
rubyedelman 1 year ago
It is hard to imagine anyone singing this better. One can speak of Rosa Ponselle, Tebaldi, etc but I find this unmatched.
Lovelytenor1 1 year ago
She is almost never mentioned at any of the Met broadcasts ?
tenorismo 1 year ago
Beautiful voice. Very well suited and well performed.
Tenorbravo 1 year ago
I haven't seen this broadcast recording before. It's fascinating to see after having seen her 1985 Met farewell broadcast so many times. Her voice is still flawless 25 years later and that performance is incredibly moving, but she ACTS so beautifully here. You can see her do many of the same gestures in the Met broadcast, and in many ways her voice became richer and more nuanced, but she's so convincing in the role in this performance and it's wonderful to her as a young Aida.
MSMillerNYC 1 year ago
No one's said anything about HER BODY. My God, what a beautiful sexy woman she was. And, well, then there's the voice.....
PIPZZZ02 1 year ago
Leontyne said of Aida: my skin is the costume. The reason she is considered the greatest Aida of all time is not only the perfect singing but because she identified with the character & related to her. Aida is Ethiopian, a dark-skinned people. She is a slave and in a humble position; much like African Americans were in the 19th century & early 20th century. Her success as Aida was a great boost for the Civil Rights movement. She is the truest Aida you can ever find. SHE IS THE BEST AIDA
MastersoftheOpera 1 year ago
I didn´t like it, It thrilled me to the point I think I have experienced the greatest impression opera has offered to me everytime I hear Price singing O patria mia! Outstanding among the best ones!
yodavidnavarro 2 years ago
I love Leontyne's performance of this song, because she sings with her emotions. And she doesn't just sing the song - she gives her audience a heart-felt and memorable performance. Thank you for posting this. Everyone should view this woman's gift.
Powerful Minds of Women
PowerfulMindsofWomen 2 years ago
She sings this really nice and beautiful tone. This is the great Leontyne at her grandest. If you haven't heard her Aida, you never heard Verdi.
kitchavez 2 years ago 2
@kitchavez I agree!
Powerful Minds of Women
PowerfulMindsofWomen 2 years ago
My ultimate musical heroine! No other voice has ever been so flawless and beautiful.
LucySanchez90 2 years ago 2
@LucySanchez90 Great reply!
Powerful Minds of Women
PowerfulMindsofWomen 2 years ago
Truly stunning.
billyflynn2 2 years ago
Is the whole telecast of this program available somewhere?
KMO325 2 years ago
Muy hermosa la interpretacion de esta cantante!!!
Ernecio06 2 years ago
Was there ever a voice more suited to this music? This is early in her career, and the voice hasn't acquired that thickness of sound it later did. Sheer perfection.
Tsaraslondon 2 years ago
@Tsaraslondon I agree!
Powerful Minds of Women
PowerfulMindsofWomen 2 years ago
I agree with you... Price simply owns that role... I cannot think of her without remembering of "Aida"...
ThiagoLorpal 2 years ago 2
The only Aida for me. Just as some sopranos own certain roles, this is Price's role. This cannot be better.
rjdelosreyes 2 years ago 4
What a sound. Rich, warm, expressive, sensual, SEXY and downright beautiful. I've loved Price ever since I first heard her on a Met Opera "Aida" broadcast in 1976:) --
stevevandien 2 years ago 4
The world is lucky to have had this voice, and this person, with this technique and such a voluptuous sound, to sing this music. Why must such perfection always come to an end? Can we put her back on stage?Please!
Chilair1 2 years ago
I am left breathless. Again and again. I worship price. Oh lord.
PoemSetToMusic 2 years ago
A true diva and a fine actress.
babaloula 2 years ago
Amazing. Amazing singing in what I think was definitely the best opera Verdi ever wrote.
leadoffeohippus 3 years ago 2
I love this role because this was when her career really started to jump off, 6 years before her Met Debut she wasn't singing this role in big houses yet, but she was great in the small studio. Then the 1959-60 recordings, than the '61 Met debut, then a decade of amazing recodings/opera performances in her absolute prime. Oh Leontye, I kind of worship you.
FoggyRoad81 3 years ago
Pure beauty! An Angel's voice from Heaven. The wonderful Leontyne. What an artist! Yes, the best Aida! Only wish Verdi could have heard her sing the role!
EvaDoran1 3 years ago 3
Fraseggio suberbo, acuti sostenuti puliti e brillanti, accento verdiano perfetto, legato da manuale, probabilmente ci troviamo davanti alla migliore Aida del dopoguerra
lido2008ve 3 years ago
Lido2008ve:
Non probabilmente--certamente!
liedersanger1 2 years ago
The best Aida!!
draculagrof1234 3 years ago 2
HAIL TO PRINCESS AIDA!!!
LeeVita19 3 years ago 4
Amazing singing.
blueMmb1 3 years ago 3
She is sublime. Jerodo is terminally stupid.
boootymuncher 3 years ago 5
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Beautiful, near flawless singing. Too bad she did what she did at the end (ruined the beautiful messa di voce).
VivaMariaCallas 3 years ago
You may not be able to appreciate Price but to call her voice grotesque !! Why this unnecessary provokation? When commenting on on the pros and cons of the artists why stoop to this level ? Listen to her Gonoud´s Ave Maria. Is that at PETITE voice ? Are you, by chance, a Head Banger´s fan or where did you come up with such an incompetent notion ?
swe50 4 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
Price had a petite voice and her interpretations were almost grotesque.Italian singing was out of her element at all
jerodo4330 4 years ago
BAH HA HA...
operawhore64 3 years ago
I think you're clueless! The greatest spinto ever called petite voice? You ignorant pampero please stop saying comments that are obviously wrong 'cause right now you have been evidenced as an asshole!
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago
Embarrassingly wrong...
juankmilo1980curro 3 years ago
JUST AWESOME!
TreblesBasses 4 years ago
Leontyne IS AIDA
lorettab77 4 years ago 16
r u people crazy? price was queen of verdi roles? callas is one of the greats (in part becauae of her great stage presence, but with her thin voice theres no way one could call her the best aida...come on.
bcom11 4 years ago 4
ELIZABETH RETHBERG was the GREATEST AIDA. Listen to her on You Tube singing with Gigli and Pinza in a trio. But there are moments of loveliness here.
796824 4 years ago
You're so wrong!
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago
Yes!
urgrad03 4 years ago
She was the best Aida in the history of Opera ever... even better than Maria Callas!!!!! it is a fact! in reality, Aida could be a black, because she was egyptian... so, what a amazing coincidence?!.... BRAVO LEONTYNE PRICE
lashato 4 years ago
To be better than Maria Callas isn't so difficult.
stome3139 4 years ago
Stome you are completely and undeniably stupid!
nichtsleezy 4 years ago
Unfortunately yoou are wrong Stome3139 !!!! by your words you just revealed that you know just a bit in belcanto! I am a singer, and I really know what is difficult and easy in this sphere. go a listen to the recording of Maria Callas as Aida and you will found my words very right!!!
lashato 4 years ago
If M.Callas is your model you will be an horrible singer because Callas does everything a singer must never do.Callas Aìda recording is VERY bad
stome3139 4 years ago
You are so funny talking about Titans. who are you?-noone and nothing!I told that you know just a bit in belcanto,didn't I? but now i am completely ensured that you know absolutely nothing! I didn't say that Maria is my model. her recording is really best ever. just you are duff!!! bye
lashato 4 years ago
How little you know about Aìda....Callas Aìda studio version is very bad.You cannot teach anything to me because for what I read you don't know anything about what a great Aìda is.Franco Corelli is a great tenor but there are half a dozen better tenors than he , in his register lyrical-spinto
stome3139 4 years ago
Only one between us that knows nothing about Aida is just you!!! Callas' Aida is best ever! and you are diletant in this sphere and be quiet thats better to you! i amnt interested in your oppinions about Corelli. you should improve yourself otherwise just shut up! never comment me. bye
lashato 4 years ago
STOME3139: I think that you are clinically ill. Please stop visiting Ms. Price's video forums!!
nichtsleezy 4 years ago 2
Poor Stome you should listen to Callas Aida, but with the HUGE attention this time: how she sings the words:"Di mai piu" or "Vedro". dont make any comments about me as a singer, because you have never listened to my recordings! I have my Model in singing that is Franco Corelli
lashato 4 years ago
actually, Aidi was an Ethiopian princess, so it's authentic for her to be black. IMHO the best Aida ever, born to sing the role.
fideliosmum 3 years ago 17
I totally agree! And She's for me the best voice ever!
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago 4
@fideliosmum actually, Aida is a Nubian princess. Nubian means "Black skin".
oladeusa 1 year ago
Ethiopian, actually!Aida was Ethiopian according to the libretto!And obviously she was black.Bravissima Price!indeed she owns Aida!But Callas didn't do a bad job on it either.
FloriaTosca85 3 years ago 3
When was this recorded?
markhh 4 years ago
The main thing for me is to thank VAIMUSIC for making this wonderful video available to all of us.
wachtelms 4 years ago
examining and discussing is great but tearing down serves no one. the sword one wields is the same sword one must suffer. if you have not had a singing career, criticism is a sign of ignorance
vitroz 4 years ago
leontyne!!! una de las voces mas hermosas que he podido escuchar esta aria de aida es maravillosa quien mejor para cantarla que leontyne. wonderful
baritonobelcantista 4 years ago
I love when people argue over such miniscule matters: who is the better Aida, etc....get a life!! What is clear from this clip is that Leontyne Price sang this aria exquisitely, in her prime and probably without peer.
davedave9103 4 years ago
THERE ARE two greatest Aidas by me and a lot of people arround the world. One is Mrs.Price the other is Mrs. Zinka Milanov, period.
All voices in the world, present, or past have their uniquines and are recognizable.Each opera goer or lover has different ear and taste, its the same with the pictures in the gallery different people are seeing differently. Any how anyine who can do ART in higher level is worthy walking on this small world. Long live the OPERA
Operatissimo 4 years ago
hahaha Milanov is horrible in her Aìda studio version, she misses and screams all Cs on 2nd act and her voice sounds like grandmama voice, Milanov phrasing is very bad as well and on third act she sings a very small and tight C in O patria mia.
trepicioni 4 years ago
No excuses, Milanov is horrible on her '52 Aìda Met broadcast too
trepicioni 4 years ago
I am remembering Milanov Aìda studio version, she is in terrible shape, she even screams the Bflats, starting with a painful Ritorna vincitor,the note on "nostri opressor..." Ahh ! ON Bflat is a scream and she goes on screaming all Bflats, B and Cs till the end.And her phrasing , she seems and old hen
trepicioni 4 years ago
When u have seat in any great opera house plqued with your name after long and successful carear, than we can talk. Shooting with flat, sharp, B's,C's, doesn't make you competent and reliable source. Before listening any music in the future, please clean your ears deeeeeply.
Operatissimo 4 years ago
Perhaps you can upload a demo of how italian opera should be done. What about a clip of you singing, directing or giving a master class? All of the true greatest Masters in History were generous enough to share their talents with the world. Why don't you do it yourself so we can be delighted with your expertise?
soundfond 4 years ago
This is what Aida is suppose to sound like! Not Tebaldi! Absolute perfection! It doesnt get any better than this, and I doubt it ever will!
cdivo39 4 years ago
When one sees Aida one likes to be able to hear the Aida soaring in the soprano line in the triumphal scene.Price could never be heard, in this perhaps her most famous role.
trepicione 4 years ago
Price top simply did not blossom, or bloom.There was very little difference in volume between her piano Blat, B and C and her forte Bflat, B and C
trepicione 4 years ago
trepicione or potrobsas: you're a living proof of what I had mentioned earlier: most likely reminiscent nazi sickly trying to spread some futile slander against Price's legacy. Può il Gran Dio avere misericordia sulla vostra anima misera.
soundfond 4 years ago
It's what the role and the score require and Price was not able to deliver
trepicioni 4 years ago
trepicione?trepicioni?potrobsas? although your opinion lacks reliable inference, you're entitled to it. Nevertheless, it's refreshing to find the vast majority of listeners will not share it. I stand by my own: Leontyne Price's Aida's been unsurpassed.
soundfond 4 years ago
Price did not know how italian opera should be done.One no need mora than play "presago il core della tua condana" to rpove Price was unable to sing Aìda, Verdi and Puccini beyond her high notes were uninteresting and she had no power
trepicioni 4 years ago
protobsas (now one can really tell it's you). It's illogical at very least to say that the world's MOST awarded operatic singer "had no power". And I also stand by my opinion about your behavior: beneath your "pseudo-intellectual-aware-of-musical-notation" speech, lies an envious entity full of hatred towards anyone native or related to the U.S. You're delusional and your comments make no sense whatsoever, let alone the racist conotation.
soundfond 4 years ago
I would expect this kind of nastiness on a Supremes blog or some site discussing lifestyle site discussing the looks of someone but to tear down one of the greatest voices of the last 50 years is surprising. Her bel canto may not be to your liking but it is an astounding voice.
cleoharvey 4 years ago 2
Let's bear in mind this article brings up Italian critics commenting on her Aida in Milan. Let alone her later success in the role at home a couple of years later. The article testifies, amongst others, two most relevant factors:1) Leontyne Price is Aida, in all senses, to all effects.2) She had to fight and overcome prejudice in order to prove that. And she still does. Yet nowadays, sadly enough there's sick reminiscent nazi trying to bash her legacy.
soundfond 4 years ago
"Brava, Leonessa!" cried someone in the audience, while a second voice corrected: "She is more like a panther than a lioness." Said one critic: "Our great Verdi would have found her the ideal Aïda." When another critic regretted that Soprano Price's color might keep her from other parts, a Scala official promised that there would be no color bar: "The public will have to get used to it. If she sings Butterfly and anybody objects, we'll say she's a suntanned Butterfly."
soundfond 4 years ago
Time Magazine May 30th 1960: "Handling her big, liquid soprano voice with faultless accuracy, Singer Price achieved an Aïda that was at once feline and tender, sweet and aggressive. She won bravas after her opening trio with Radames and Amneris (a place in the opera that has not drawn applause at La Scala in years), got many more ovations as she ranged effortlessly from finespun pianissimos to brilliantly ringing fortes. ..."
soundfond 4 years ago
Perfection. I don't know what else to add. At her prime, she was untouchable in terms of sheer vocal beauty, power, technique and prowess.
Moonraker1987 4 years ago
After watching to videos like this, I'm sure Price was the best Aida ever! Her sensual, vibrant and unique timbre fits the deep and exotic vocal lines of Aida perfectly and she clearly masters the Verdian phrasing! It's a flawless vocal performance, indeed, but what makes Aida her own is that complete identification with the role. It's as if Aida was a sort of Price's ancestral in Africa and reincarnates in the 20th century. All of Aida's feelings are so credible trough her voice and expression!
OperaBR 4 years ago
Yay glad this is back up, do you happeb to have the Ciel Mio Padre and Pur Ti Riveggio from this performance.
FoggyRoad81 4 years ago