Verdi: Aida DVD (Royal Opera House, 1994)
 

Cast: Cheryl Studer (Aida), Luciana d'Intino (Amneris), Dennis O'Neill (Radames), Alexandru Agache (Amonasro), Robert Lloyd (Ramfis), Mark Beesley (Il Re), John Marsden (Messenger), Yvonne Barclay (Sacerdotta), Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Edward Downes (conductor). Elijah Moshinsky (director), Brian Large (TV director) 

Originally recorded in June 1994 for high definition television in a co-production between the BBC, Pioneer, NHK, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. First published in LaserDisc and VHS formats

Reissued in 2001 in DVD format and distributed by Kultur International in north America (D1487/region code 1/NTSC, with subtitles in English only) and by Quantum Leap in Great Britain (8924/region code 2, with subtitles in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish)

Technical Details:
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Full Frame
Sound: Linear PCM\Dolby Digital 5.1\DTS 5.1

Running time: 150 minutes
Sung in Italian

Review of the Kultur International DVD

One can now prove that it is possible to make a performance of Aida dull. Singing and conducting are altogether competent, but the only elements of this release which enliven the work are those of the production - and they are more often confusing or distracting than constructive. Lloyd infuses some life into his character, but Beesley is both vocally and dramatically subpar. D'Intino has some moments of expression but they are not those most needed; the opening scene of Act IV, for example, is flaccid. Studer, O'Neill and Agache sing all the notes and none of the music. Many points in the score are marked 'a piacere', but the pleasure of the artists appears to be to do nothing at all. The effect is altogether colorless - a grey and pointless recitation of one of the most vibrant scores in opera.
 
Color is present on the screen in profusion, thanks to the striking sets and costumes. Unfortunately, those bear little relationship to action in the work. Where the banks of the Nile seem to be represented in Act III by poles topped by cat figures, the same symbol is carried into the first scene of Act IV, clearly suggesting that the designer had something else in mind. It is difficult to believe that the stunning, traditional production of the La Scala Aida with Chiara and Pavarotti came from the same director as this one. Characters mill about on stage, doing mysterious things and thereby diverting attention from what is written and what is being sung. For this reviewer, any production requiring explanation is in and of itself faulty.
 
Technically, this disc is fine with clear sound and picture. Large's direction is in line with his preference for extreme closeup. Many find that distracting even on tape; on DVD, often seen on a large screen, it can be even less attractive, but that is a matter of personal taste. English subtitles are provided on the NTSC, Region 1 release reviewed; they cannot be turned off. [NTSC/ version reviewed]
 
Related websites:
 
Kultur Video www.kultur.com/kulturvideo/about/about.htm
Quantum Leap: www.qleap.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Opera_182.html  
 
 
Michael Richter, 27 May 2002
mrichter@cpl.net
 
See also Michael Richter's Introduction to the DVD, for a list of other reviews see the DVD Project page.