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For many devotees of Aida, the size of a performance's production budget is the most important consideration. In this respect, the San Carlo Opera Company falls behind its chief video competitors, La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera, particularly in the lavish, half-hour triumphal scene in Act II. But in its more modest way, with only one singer (Dolora Zajick) who has a strong international reputation, it gives a good musical account of Verdi's score. The costumes and choreography are undistinguished but adequate; the singers in the principal roles are visually less than ideal but more convincing than Pavarotti at La Scala and properly impassioned in the best Italian provincial style. The chorus and orchestra are capable and Daniel Oren keeps the music under firm control. With more splendor in the spectacular scenes, this could have been surprisingly competitive. As is, it's more likable than one might expect. --Joe McLellan
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