I am afraid that Simone Estes makes for an unrelentingly LOUD Amoroso exhibiting the kind of singing that kept him from becoming the supreme operatic bass that he should have become. At the time of this performance she was a gorgeous woman making the role of Amneris very exciting both vocally and visually! Brava! She is at one moment ripping the Pyramids down with the power of her voice and artistry and at the next moment expressing Amneris' hurt and love of Radames with much tenderness.

Stefania Toczyska as Amneris is splendid.

His big scene with Stefania Toczyska as Amneris is great. Never a great actor, he is very much involved and with the sound he is making one soon forgets that he wasn't a good actor-after all opera, to me, is foremost about voice At this time Luciano's voice was a spendid instrument indeed. Once past 'Celeste Aida', he settles down and gives a great performance singing with power, beauty and tenderness. Pavarotti, at this time, was in his vocal prime. The BIG star of these performances of Aida was, of course, Luciano Pavarotti (making his debut in the role of Radames). nevertheless, I do feel, in this performance of Aida, she 'stands on her own' as an opera performer not being second to any one.

I can remember, at the time, Margaret was referred to as the 'other' Price with Leontyne being, of course, first. She indeed looks very sad during bows anyway, she performs that dear ole girl Aida wonderfully. I can remember friends of mine that were members, at the time of this performance, of the San Francisco Opera Chorus saying that Margaret Price was very unhappy during this 'run' of Aida (she cancelled one performance with Leontyne Price (!!) substituting for her) This sadness comes across as vulnerability (very touching) in the performance. She fails to 'nail' O Patria Mia however, everything else is great especially her final duet with Pavarotti. She pours out great sound-exhibiting loads of power along with her known ravishing pianissimos. (I place this recording right up there with my other favorite operatic recording that she did-Verdi's Masked Ball with Solti) Her Aida is great aurally and visually. However, to me, she was also wonderful in the few operatic roles she took on with this DVD of Aida being an excellent example of how good she was as an opera performer. I am sure that Margaret Price will be remembered primarily as a supreme performer of Lieder.

Sf opera aida review