Giuseppe Verdi – Aida | Olga Romanko, Maurizio Frusoni, Stefania Toczyska, Claudio Otelli | Roberto Paternostro | Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen | United Classics (2CD)

Product Details

UPC: 8713545220568  
Label / Brand: United Classics (360-Opera Series)  
Format: 2 × CD (Complete Opera Recording)  
Genre: Opera – Grand Opera  
Recording Year: 1997  
Release / License: 1997 Companions Classics, Amsterdam / 2013 T2 International BV  
MNB: T2CD2012056  
Country of Manufacture: EU

Overview

Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida is one of the pinnacles of 19th-century grand opera, blending political intrigue, forbidden love, and monumental choral scenes. Commissioned for the Cairo Opera House in 1871, Aida remains a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire, combining exotic orchestration with Verdi’s gift for passionate lyricism.

This 1997 live recording from Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, conducted by Roberto Paternostro, features Olga Romanko as the Ethiopian princess Aida and Maurizio Frusoni as the Egyptian warrior Radamès. With Stefania Toczyska’s commanding Amneris and Claudio Otelli as Amonasro, the performance captures both the grandeur of the score and the intimate drama of love and loyalty torn apart by war.

Cast & Performers

• Aida: Olga Romanko (soprano)
• Radamès: Maurizio Frusoni (tenor)
• Amneris: Stefania Toczyska (mezzo-soprano)
• Amonasro: Claudio Otelli (baritone)
• Il Re (The King): Aik Martirosyan (bass)
• Ramfis: Riccardo Ferrari (bass)
• High Priestess: Janny Zomer (soprano)
• Messenger: Alexei Grigorev (tenor)

Opera in Ahoy Choir Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen Conductor: Roberto Paternostro

Product Features

• Complete recording of Verdi’s Aida in 2 CDs
• Recorded at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam (22–24 September 1997)
• Conducted by Roberto Paternostro with full orchestra and chorus
• Features internationally acclaimed soloists Olga Romanko, Maurizio Frusoni & Stefania Toczyska
• Part of the prestigious United Classics – 360 Opera Series

Track Listing

CD 1

• Act I: The Palace in Memphis – Introduction, Radamès’ “Celeste Aida”
• Act I Finale: Triumphal decree and conflict of duty vs. love
• Act II: The Chamber of Amneris / Temple of Ptah – “Fu la sorte dell’armi a’ tuoi funesta”
• Act II Finale: Triumphal March & Grand Scene

CD 2

• Act III: Banks of the Nile – Aida’s aria “O patria mia”
• Act III: Confrontation between Aida and Amonasro
• Act IV: Trial Scene – Amneris’ prayers and judgment
• Act IV Finale: The Tomb Scene – Radamès and Aida’s duet, Amneris’ lament

(Full libretto with complete numbering is preserved in recording notes)

Interesting Facts

• Verdi originally declined the commission for Aida, only accepting after being convinced by the grandeur of the subject.
• The opera premiered in Cairo in 1871 to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal.
• The Triumphal March remains one of Verdi’s most recognizable pieces, often performed independently.
• This Concertgebouw recording balances live dramatic energy with concert hall acoustics, offering clarity and immediacy.

Publishers

Published by United Classics – 360 Opera Series. Licensed from Companions Classics (1997) / T2 International BV (2013).

Hashtags

#Verdi #Aida #UnitedClassics #360Opera #RobertoPaternostro #OlgaRomanko #MaurizioFrusoni #StefaniaToczyska #GrandOpera