Angela Gheorghiu as Aida: Ritorna Vincitor (2014; in HD; Italian subtitles)

Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu’s spellbinding first performance of Aida’s act I aria “Ritorna Vincitor“ (Verdi, Aida; 1871). The context of the aria: “Alone in the hall, Aida feels torn between her love for her father, her country, and Radamès“. Noteworthy in this rendition: Italianate style; exemplary phrasing, coupled with complex vocal colouring; divine pianissimi; vocal flexibility, especially the great mastery of dynamics from fortissimo to piano; the fiery yet tragic portrayal of the tormented heroine; superb breath control and ability to caress the long Verdian legato lines; the fullness, power, and resonance of all her vocal registers; the confident handling of both the dramatic and lyrical components of the aria; and of course the unique beauty of the voice, from a soprano quickly approaching her 50th anniversary. Angela’s interest in “Aida“ began in 1998, with the studio recording of the opera’s final duet, under Claudio Abbado (“Verdi per D