opera notebook
some operas I have seen on videoGiuseppe Verdi, Aida (1871)
libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni
Metropolitan Opera, New York, 1985
- Conductor: James Levine
- Director: John Dexter
- Set Designer: David Reppa
- Aida: Leontyne Price
- Radamès: James McCracken
- Amneris: Fiorenza Cossotto
- Amonasro: Simon Estes
A very worthy vehicle for Leontyne Price's farewell to opera. In 1985, the New York Times called John Dexter's production "dramatically inert, unatmospheric, scenically ludicrous." But 40 years later, I imagine every opera fan is grateful that this performance was preserved on video.