Aida

With so many excellent performances available on DVD and Blu-ray of Giuseppe Verdi's ever-popular 1871 opera—revolving around the doomed love between an Egyptian general and a beautiful Ethiopian slave set against the backdrop of war—a new release has to be fairly special to earn notice. Unfortunately, this 2011 mounting from the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence evinces more than a touch of the routine. Zubin Mehta conducts the prelude without much expression or subtlety, and while his reading grows more passionate later, it doesn't go full throttle until the last act. Director Ferzan Ozpetek takes a similarly unimaginative approach in which the singers simply stand and deliver, making for very static staging. Even worse is Francesco Ventriglia's klutzy choreography, which renders the ballet interludes—one featuring a bunch of mirrors—nearly laughable. On the plus side, the orchestra plays decently, the sets and costumes are impressive, and Hui He cuts a regal figure in the title role, while also exhibiting a strong, creamy voice. As her lover, Radamès, Marco Berti isn't her equal, neither physically nor vocally, but he and Luciana D'Intino, as Aida's jealous rival, Amneris, are at least adequate. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, this is a respectable Aida, overall, but with such a crowded field (better choices are reviewed in VL-11/02 and VL-11/04), that isn't enough. Optional. (F. Swietek)