VERDI - Aida
Commissioned by the Khedive of Egypt for the Italian Theatre in Cairo, Aida gave Verdi one of his greatest successes. The love between Radames, the Captain of the Egyptian Guard, and Aida, the captured daughter of the opposing King of Ethiopia, causes the jealousy of Amneris, the King of Egypt’s daughter. The clash of the emotions of love for one’s country and people against what the heart decrees sets hero and heroine on an inexorable path to death. The opera allows productions on an epic scale, with the Grand March and Ballet in Act 2. Zubin Mehta made his NY Met debut in 1965 at the age of 29 conducting Aida. This recording followed in 1967 and stars two of the greatest exponents of Aida and Radames at that time: Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli. Grace Bumbry, a favourite mezzo-soprano, sings the role of Amneris.

0946 3 58645 2 6 (2CDs)
0946 3 58645 5 7 (Digital Download)