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A credible and resonant voiced Amonasro, Donnie Ray Albert suffused his lines with palpable emotion. Andrew Gangestad was a truly outstanding Ramfis and his sonorous bass tones made people look for his name in the program during intermission. One can expect to hear a great deal more from this young artist. As the King, Stefan Szkafarowsky moved with regal intensity and sang with a rough, dramatic sound. Henrietta E Davis was a fresh voiced priestess and Chad Berlinghieri a laudable messenger. Although Henri Venanzi's chorus did not move much, they sang with powerful, well-balanced harmonies.

One of the major assets of Opera Pacific is its excellent orchestra. John DeMain led the players in a forceful, rhythmically resplendent performance of Verdi's masterpiece. This performance of Aïda was a rendition fit for an oriental potentate and it provided a most rewarding evening at Opera Pacific.