In Aida at the Tennis Stadium in Båstad conductor Pier Giorgio Morandi and the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra created ”a truly Verdian sound”, writes Opera with Opera News. The September issue is also strucked by the fact that several former Birgit Nilsson Stipendium recipients participated, in addition to this year’s recipient Karolina Bengtsson in the role of the priestess. Christina Nilsson sang Aida ”with gleaming power” and with the Nile Aria as ”the highlight” of the evening, Fredrik Zetterström (Amonasro) was ”disclosed a real Verdian baritone” and Henning von Schulman (Pharaoh) had “an imposing bass” – all previous recipients. Martin Muehle (Radamès) ”managed his vocal resources well”, Sofija Petrović (Amneris) produced ”smooth, glinting lines” and Krzysztof Bączyk was ”a strong Ramfis”.
