Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra: The Television Concerts, Vol. 3 : Aida - 1948-52 DVD – Classical, February 16, 2006

Yes, the performance took place in Studio H, notorious for its evil acoustics to all the critics of the time.Yes, it is primitive pioneer TV of the 1940's, though no doubt upgraded as best the technicians could manage.Yes, it is a concert not an opera performance.Yes, there are no subtitles; puzzling that the company would not spring for the cost of them given the historic nature of the video.Despite these, and other deficiencies which could be listed, this is a performance one must attend.Toscanini draws from an outstanding group of orchestral players music to touch one to the core.Robert Shaw's chorus, under the maestro's baton, sounds heavenly.Richard Tucker, with decades ahead as a vital element in the best of what the Metropolitan Opera had to offer, shows what a trained and highly disciplined tenor can make of a showpiece role.The other performers all hit the mark, though sometimes, I would guess, the victims of Studio H and technicians still learning the TV craft.Yes, and at the center, one has an opportunity to see a top of the line conductor of Italian Opera, create in film, one of his historic performances.Verdi may well have sounded as good many times, but he never sounded better.

This show was made when Toscanini was 87--it is, I think, his last public performance. It demonstrates why he was considered great. The singers were barely mediocre, with the exception of Richard Tucker, who was in great voice and at the start of a great career. The poor guy does look absolutely stricken though (maybe he was intimidated by the Maestro). In spite of it all, this is a vibrant, cohesive and compelling perfromance because of the way Toscanini shapes and molds everything. He lets the music speak for itself: it is wonderful.

To hear is not the same as seeing and hearing! To watch Maestro Toscanini conduct this opera is a revelation. This man is a direct link to Verdi, Puccini and other great opera composers. He did the premier performances of many major operas. His tempos, phrasing, etc. must be considered definitive. I was mesmerized from start to finish. One will forget the soft black and white, and sometimes blurred images, the lack of subtitles, and the relatively limited sound frequency range, as the focus will be on what Toscanini is doing on the podium. Richard Tucker -- what can I say about Mr. Tucker? His performance was wonderful, clear, nuanced. There is a lot of Tucker available on CD but very little on DVD, this is one of the few. Despite many shortcomings this DVD is a must watch for anyone interested in opera.

... of some of Toscanini's legacy. This is a video of Verdi's "Aida", with four, fine soloists (especially Eva Gustavson, as Amneris), and the usual great discipline that we'd expect from Toscanini, on the podium. Giuseppe Valdengo is an effective Amonasro, and Richard Tucker does some VERY-fine work, as Radames. Herva Nelli does very well with the Aida role, although some listeners might prefer some of the MANY sopranos who've tackled this, difficult role. The NBC Symphony and the Robert Shaw Chorale are wonderfully-responsive, and help to carry out what the "old man"/Toscanini could envision for his WAY with this, great opera. This video is WELL-worth the price, and should be better known.

What a wonderful thing to be able to experience in a new format a musical performace that one has cherished all of their life. I have owned the LP performance of the Verdi Aida by Toscanini for 40 years and listened to it many score times.To be able to view this performance as it was originally broadcast so many years ago is a rare treat. The artists are legendary and the sound is excellent for the time. I especially enjoyed watching Herva Nelli as Aida as she sang Ritorna Vincitor and Richard Tuckers' Celeste Aida.

This is an important recording from the days of the NBC Symphony Orchestra and Toscanini. It is even more important to me personally because it features my friend, Eva Gustavson, as Amneris. This copy was purchased to give as a gift to opera-loving friends. They loved it. Thank goodness it is still available.

You quickly forget about the marginal black and white picture, ancient sound and arthritic camera work and see an amazing look at the energy, conviction and artistry that this man brought to this warhorse Verdi opera. The moment that sticks in my mind is at the end of the triumphal scene, after the last note, when Toscanini finally relaxes, you can appreciate just how intense was his concentration and how he had put his entire being into the performance.

Let it be warned that, although this DVD presents a complete performance of AIDA spanning 150 minutes, it is not an opera production. The soloists sit on chairs in front of the orchestra, facing Toscanini and the audience. When the time comes for them to sing, they stand and sing. In a concert performance like this, it must be very difficult for them to get their emotion into the songs. Nevertheless, all the soloists, especially Eva Gustavson as Amneris, Herva Nelli as Aida and Giuseppe Valdengo as Amonasro, gave an excellent performance. Richard Tucker as Radames seems a little tense compared to others, yet his singing is excellet. Robert Shaw Chorale, located behind the orchestra, supports the performance with choruses when needed.In the end, however, the highest compliment should undoubtedly go to Toscanini, who, at the age of 82, conducted the full 150 minutes straight all out of memory-no scores in front of him! He is absolutely in total command of the music. The NBC orchestra is first rate. How can it not be when the great 82 year old conductor without a score in front of him stares at you right at your nose? It is moving to see him conducting with passion and singing along at times the very opera he conducted at his debut as a conductor at the age of 19. The spectacular orchestral playing of Act II Scene II alone is a treasure to keep.The sound quality is excellent, considering that it was recorded more than half a century ago. In black and white. No subtitles.