Verdi: Aida (Blu Ray) [Blu-ray]

There are two general approaches to Aida, gentle reader: the first focuses on the spectacle of ancient Egypt; the second on the relationships between the principal characters. The former is represented on DVD by the Met version with Botha and Urmana; the latter by the long deleted (but soon to be re-issued) version from the Teatro Giuseppi Verdi's tiny (30m) stage in Busetto. This release, from the Arena di Verona, does both and does so to near perfection.The sets date back to 1913, and have to be seen to be believed. There are few venues for opera that would allow for the enormous scope and complexity of the sets and I cannot remember ever seeing anything to rival them.The singers are ,in the main, excelllent.I was totally gobsmacked by Hui He as Aida. I am still unsure as to which superlatives would encompass the totality of what we experienced. My reference of Aida has always been Leontyne Price, but if He didn't eclipse her, she came VERY close. The voice is simply splendid from top to bottom. She floats those incredible pianissimi with no apparent effort and when it's time for forte singing she just opens up and rattles the rafters. There is a lot of singing for He in Aida, but there was no sign of fatigue or strain. Dramatically, too, she is spot on. I pray to the opera gods to get more on disc of this incredible lady!Andrea Ulbrich is almost as good as Amneris. She has a rich, deep mezzo voice with splendid technique, but she sounded a bit tired and strained right at the end of Act IV when she had to nail a high note forte. Otherwise a credible job, dramatically and musically.I think that Ambrogio Maestri is the best Amonasro I have heard other than Leonard Warren. Superb voice! Superb technique! Great stage presence, even if he is a bit large.Marco Berti is not the best Rhadames in memory. He is not effective in Celeste Aida. I know that it's a killer piece to sing right at the start of the opera, and I know that only Tucker and Corelli (in my experience) have done it perfectly, but perhaps a bit more warming up might have made the aria go better. Considering the dearth of modern Verdi singers in general and tenors in particular, I really can't be overly critical.The rest of the cast does a great job, and Daniel Oren nails it from the pit! Cosidering the size of the Arena, the orchestral detailing is quite good. Picture and sound are splendid, especailly in the DTS mode.The performance is complete on one disc with no extra features.The sum of this superlative Aida is the result of all the parts meshing extremely well and I cannot recall a better performance (certainly none on disc) im my lifetime.Buy this one with confidence

I do like this DVD, the sets, the ballet, especially He's singing and acting (very good acting indeed) as Aida. However, there's a better version of Aida also sung by He and performed at Arena di Verona, which is too available at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J587L6E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Why do I like the other DVD better?1, the leading tenor is much much better, so is the princess- mezzo soprano. You would know the difference once you hear Radames' aria "Celeste Aida" at the beginning.2, the music and conducting. This DVD is good, but the other is WOW!3, the sets. This one is beautiful and traditional, but the other is so inspiring, creative, imaginative, full of surprises while yet very very beautiful.4, the acting. The other one is more vivid and touching.5, Believe me, I really really love He's Aida in this DVD, but she was even better in the other DVD!In short, buy the other Aida. In my opinion it is the best Aida available on DVD. Here's the link again, I guarantee you won't be regret.  Verdi: Aida [Blu-ray ]

I bought this DVD together with Hui He's CD. I usually don't write negative review, but since my first intention was to do it, I will say only a few words. I don't understand why people buy tickets to a show that they can't see anything even with a giant TV screen. And I believe I saw a big dog running wild at the back of the stage while the show is in progress, I wonder whether it was part of the plot; I really doubt it. In short, this is not my type. I gave it a three-star because although I don't like it, it nevertheless is imaginative and for He's good singing. I didn't finish watching the whole thing, just after Aida's 'Ritorna vincitor' May be I'll pick it up again some other time.

With the exception of a fine Aida this cast is pedestrian at best and abysmal at worst. Amneris is chubby's love interest or his mother? The Pharaoh gave birth to her when he was, what? ... minus twenty?There are plenty of talents who suit roles physically. Not in this production. Sorry, but I've had it with greased down hair Rodolphos, physically misfit Radamès and just about every other physically inappropriate casting choice. I'm sure these characters were believable from the cheap seats. On a Blu ray disc.......not a chance. Too distracting.Mic balance in the orchestra was often way off; often ignoring the melody line.

this production of aida is what the term grand opera is all about. of course there are minor issues, but one can say that with just about any dvd production. I don't think anyone can find a more spine tingling triumphal scene anywhere. i have several dvds of aida but i always keep coming back to this production for its sheer enveloping size. almost overwhelming!!! not to be equaled for some time. the visual and sound aspects are superb! a wonderful addition to my collection.

Of course this opera is a spectacle with only the good music in the second act but the massive number of actors and singers wwas quite mind boggling..I know this is trivial but did people notice the white cat that strayed on stage casually walked up the steps and then came down again..all in the first scene.

I am not a frequent opera goer. I bought this CD as a collectable item. The sound, the scene, and the HD picture, are all excellent as I have expected, of course, I only watched the Blu-ray version. I cannot comment on the 3D one.

This production was very good; I haven't seen much opera but it held my interest. I recommend watching the 3-D version if you have the equipment, as it added a lot and made it seem like I had a front row seat.

The Verona venue is unique, and this alone makes for an interesting performance . At the beginning a white cat was seen at the back of the stage, but obviously not enough of an opera fan to stay for the whole performance! Hui He was outstanding as Aida, but I was disappointed with Radames. It seemed that he struggled with the part, and I had little confidence in him reaching the high notes. However, that was my only adverse criticism, but as it is such an important role I dropped one star. The costumes and scenery were brilliant, with such attention to detail. I was very impressed with the choreography. The whole stage, dancers, and all the chorus had been perfectly organised to create such a colourful and impressive performance. The camera work was very good, but Brian Large is the expert on that technical aspect.

Great product, ideal for research before going to see Aida in Verona, love it

love this production

Great 3D bluray

This is an open air setting is absolutely brilliant, great backdrop and magnificent columns. The guards on the terraces and the extras on stage in act one impress in their quantity and the quality of their costumes. Marco Berti struggles a bit as Radames to start with, but is not too bad when he warms up. Andrea Ulbrich as Amneris is hardly the young daughter of the Pharoah, her voice does not impress, she certainly has no wow factor, she struggles in the lower register throughout.Hui He has no such problems, she is strong throughout her range, and is a credible Aida.In scene two, the high priestess, Antonella Trevison is up to her task, and she is ably supported by the excellent chorus, the staging of the ballet is very enjoyable.In act 2 the chorus and dancers get off to a good start, once again Amneris is alright but still lacks the spark. The slaves dance is particularly good. It was in the interaction between Amneris and Aida that I realised what was , and remains missing in the interaction between characters, they sing in concert style, direct to the audience and not to each other.Act 2 scene 2 is a highlight , The Grand March sequence is a great spectacle, with some fine on stage post-horns, and some and a fine chorus. The chorus and the extras are countless in number, and the ballet sequences excellent.In act 3, The set for the banks of the Nile is very effective, D'Artegne as Ramfis is good in the middle range, but lacks power at the bottom end of his voice. Tagliavini as The King has one of the better voices in the production. Maestri as Amonasro has a huge stage presence and has a fine voice. When Aida sings her nostalgic aria she is very good and this is one of the vocal highlights of the production.In act 4 Amneris has only limited appeal in her impassioned aria, but she hardly runs the full spectrum of emotions.The entombment lacks intimacy, again the lovers sing to the audience instead of each other and they are too Forte.To summerise the costumes and sets are excellent, their are some spectacular setpieces. The chorus is excellent.Only one of the three lead singers is top notch, Hui He. The second team however are in good form.Can't comment on the three d, but picture quality is good and the sound excellent.