111042-44 bk Aida EU 4/4/06 2:20 PM Page 16 the temple above, praying to great Phthà, a sad song, 3 Together they bid the earth farewell, while the Aida says, the triumph of the priests, their hymn of priests continue their chant, and Amneris, dressed in death. Radamès tries to move the stone that seals the mourning, appears in the temple, throwing herself upon chamber, but in vain. the stone that seals the underground vault. In the crypt VERDI below Aida dies in the arms of her lover, while Amneris prays to Isis for them and the priests still call on the great god Phthà. Aida Keith Anderson A MILA NK NO ZI V 1 955 Recording Zinka Milanov • Jussi Björling Fedora Barbieri • Leonard Warren • Boris Christoff The Naxos historical label aims to make available the greatest recordings in the history of recorded music, in the best Rome Opera House Chorus and Orchestra and truest sound that contemporary technology can provide. To achieve this aim, Naxos has engaged a number of respected restorers who have the dedication, skill and experience to produce restorations that have set new standards Jonel Perlea in the field of historical recordings. 8.111042-44 16 111042-44 bk Aida EU 4/4/06 2:20 PM Page 2 Ethiopians, to be rewarded by the hand of Aida. At this Amneris, now alone, sits, in despair, wishing to save point Amneris, Ramfis, priests and guards emerge from Radamès and blaming herself for his capture. She turns the temple. Amneris declares Radamès a traitor, while and sees the priests crossing to enter the subterranean Aida recognises the power of her rival. Amonasro court, exclaiming on these inexorable ministers of Great Opera Recordings threatens Amneris with his dagger, but is prevented death. She covers her face with her hands, blaming from killing her by Radamès. Ramfis calls the guards, herself for the arrest of Radamès. Ramfis and the priests Giuseppe while Radamès tells Aida and her father to escape, seek divine guidance, while Amneris prays for the prepared himself to stay. release of Radamès, who is now taken down to the VERDI court, to her increased dismay. (1813-1901) Act IV * Accused by the priests, Radamès makes no answer. The accusers renew their demands and Amneris her Aida Scene 1 prayers for mercy, while Radamès remains silent and is The scene is a hall in the palace of the King. To the left condemned to be immured, living, in the tomb. Amneris Libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni after a story by Mariette Bey a great door leads to a subterranean court of justice, pleads for him, but in vain, and she ends by cursing while a passage on the right leads to the prison of them, as they go out. Aida . Zinka Milanov (soprano) Radamès. Radamès . Jussi Björling (tenor) CD 3 Amneris . Fedora Barbieri (mezzo-soprano) % Amneris crouches by the door, regretting the escape Amonasro . Leonard Warren (baritone) of her rival: Radamès will be condemned as a traitor, Scene 2 Ramfis . Boris Christoff (bass) although he is not, but yet he wanted to escape with The scene is divided into two levels, the upper The King of Egypt . Plinio Clabassi (bass) Aida: she would save him, if she could. representing the interior of the temple of Vulcan, A Messenger . Mario Carlin (tenor) splendid in its gold and light. The lower reveals an Priestess . Bruna Rizzoli (soprano) ^ Radamès is brought in by the guards, and Amneris underground chamber, with long arcades disappearing foresees his condemnation by the priests: yet he can still into the darkness. There are great statues of Isis and Rome Opera House Orchestra and Chorus save himself and she will intercede with her father for Osiris with crossed hands, supporting the pillars of the Giuseppe Conca, Chorus master him. Radamès vows he will say nothing in his defence. court above. Radamès is there, on the steps leading to Jonel Perlea Amneris tells him that if he does not defend himself, he the chamber. Two priests above are sealing the entrance must die, but he would welcome death. She urges him with a stone. Recorded 2nd – 18th July, 1955 in the Opera House, Rome to choose life, through her love: she will sacrifice First issued as RCA Victor LM-6122 country, throne and life for him. He, however, sacrificed 1 Radamès prepares for death in the tomb, never to his country and his honour for Aida, who is now dead. see the light again or his beloved Aida. At this moment Reissue Producer and Audio Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn Amneris assures him that Aida is still alive: her father Aida reveals herself. was killed, but she survived. She asks him to abjure his love for Aida, if she is to save him, but that he cannot 2 Aida explains how she has hidden herself there, do, preferring to die. Angry, she threatens revenge, if he anticipating his death, and here she too will die, in his rejects her love, but he declares death a great good: he arms. Radamès is overcome with emotion, that she, so has no fear of human anger. Amneris, however, still pure and beautiful, will die for love of him and perish in threatens revenge. the flower of her youth. Almost in a trance, she tells him to see the angel of death drawing near: Heaven now & Radamès is taken away, escorted by the guards. awaits them. The voices of the priests are heard from 8.111042-44 215 8.111042-44 111042-44 bk Aida EU 4/4/06 2:20 PM Page 14 Act III He withdraws and hides among the palm-trees. CD 1 57:50 ! Fu la sorte dell’armi 7:38 (Amneris, Aida) Introduction ! Radamès now joins Aida. She asks him what he 1 Prelude 3:29 By the banks of the Nile granite rocks are seen, from wants, since he is to marry Amneris. He assures her that (Orchestra) @ Su! Del Nilo al sacro lido 2:48 which palm-trees grow. Above the rocks is seen the he loves her alone: she must not doubt his love. She (Soldiers, People, Amneris, Aida) temple of Isis, half hidden by foliage. It is a starry night asks how he can defy the King and brave the anger of and the moon shines brightly. the priests, but Radamès tells her that danger threatens, Act I 37:47 for the Ethiopians have again invaded Egypt: he will 8 The voices of priests and priestesses are heard from earn the gratitude of the King and the reward he wants. Scene 1 CD 2 79:49 the temple, singing to Isis, immortal mother and wife of Aida warns him to beware the vengeful fury of 2 Sì: corre voce che l’Etiope 1:49 Osiris. A boat comes to the shore and Amneris Amneris, which will fall on her, her father and (Ramfis, Radamès) Act II (concluded) 22:02 disembarks, with Ramfis, some of the court women, everyone. Radamès promises to defend her, but Aida veiled, and guards. Ramfis addresses Amneris, bidding tells him he cannot: one way is open to him, flight. 3 Se quel guerrier io fossi! . Celeste Aida 4:56 Scene 2 her to the temple on the eve of her marriage, to seek (Radamès) 1 Gloria all’Egitto, ad Iside 3:27 divine favour. She says that she will pray that Radamès @ Aida tells Radamès that they must escape together (People, Women, Priests, Men) give her his whole heart, as she gives hers to him. They to a new country, where they can love each other. 4 Quale insolita gioia nel tuo sguardo! 6:27 enter the temple, as the priests and priestesses continue (Amneris, Radamès, Aida) 2 Triumphal March 5:56 their hymn. # He exclaims on the idea of seeking refuge in a (Orchestra) foreign land, abandoning his own country, the altars of 5 Alta cagion v’aduna, o fidi egizii 3:08 9 Aida enters cautiously, apparently summoned by his gods, the land where he won glory. She accuses him 3 Vieni, o guerriero, vindice 2:09 Radamès and wondering what he will say to her, since of not loving her, if he will not join her in flight: he must 6 Su! Del Nilo al sacro lido 3:00 (People, Priests) this must be their last farewell. She remembers the blue go to the altar with Amneris. Radamès gives way: let (King, Messenger, Radamès, Ramfis, Priests, skies, the sweet breezes, green hills and flowing rivers them fly together from these walls to the desert, where Ministers, Captains, Aida, Amneris) 4 Salvator della patria, io ti saluto 3:01 of her own country, which she will never see again. stars will shine upon their love. Aida adds her nostalgic (King, Radamès, Ramfis, Priests, Aida, Amonasro) memories of her native land, where they can be happy 7 Ritorna vincitor! 6:43 0 To Aida’s surprise, Amonasro approaches and tells together. Together they dream of escape. As they are (Aida) 5 Quest’assisa ch’io vesto vi dica 4:49 her he knows of her troubles, with the daughter of about to hurry away, Aida pauses. She asks him the (Amonasro, Aida, Slaves, Prisoners, Ramfis, Pharaoh, ruler of their hated enemies, her rival in love. route to be taken by the Egyptian armies, apparently so Scene 2 Priests, King, People) She laments that she is in their power, but Amonasro that they may avoid them in their flight. He tells her that 8 Possente, possente Phthà 6:16 assures her that she can again have country, throne and the approach chosen will remain unguarded that night (High Priestess, Priestesses, Ramfis, Priests) 6 O re, pei sacri numi 2:41 love: their people are ready to attack and Aida herself and she elicits from him the information that the army (Radamès, King, Amneris, Priests, People, Ramfis) can discover from Radamès the route of the Egyptian will attack through the gorges of Napata.