Aida as an opera is the very meaning of grand, some of Verdi's most memorable music is here(O Patria Mia, Celeste Aida, Triumphal, Nile and Judgment Scenes and the final scene) and when the staging is done right the story also. This Verona production was very impressive, much better than the St Margarethan, Bregenz and recent Parma productions but not as good as the Millo, Leontyne Price, San Francisco and Daniela Dessi ones. Some aspects do fall short, there could have been more close-ups for the dancers as a better way of acknowledgement and the chorus sometimes do sound muffled. Marco Berti is also a mixed bag as Radames, in much better voice than his performance a year before with Zubin Mehta conducting sings with ringing tone and the right amount of heft and squillo but he does have a lack of musicianship and is an indifferent actor, some of the chemistry in the early parts of the production come across as cold as a result. The 3D is of excellent, sharp, colourful quality though considering how Aida is already a larger-than-life opera you question whether its conclusion was necessary. The video directing is very good though on the whole, the production is well lit and the sound generally serves the music and singers well. The costumes and sets are quite magnificent, majestic and rich in colour, and the staging is compelling if more in the last two acts than the later ones(it's in the Triumphal scene in Act 2 where the production properly comes to life). The detail to characterisation and character relationships are well-realised especially with Aida and Amonasro. The orchestra play with depth and supple style, the chorus singing while sometimes muffled is involved and the conducting is assertive and sensitively phrased. Hui He is a wonderful Aida, her creamy tone, magical pianissimos, silky phrasing and expressive acting are in full hilt and to be admired. Ambrogio Maestri looks imposing and acts like it too, ruthless in abandon yet you feel the love he has for his daughter. His singing is powerful and sonorous with nice tone colours. Andrea Uldrich sings firmly and is chilling and later regretful. Roberto Tagliavini and the Ramfis are solid too. In conclusion, the spectacle is great, the musical values are mostly strong and the production is impressive. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox
