By ALAN RIDING [NY Times, 9 December 2006]

MILAN, Dec. 8 — Even for those who embrace opera as a celebration of excess, it seemed almost a provocation to open the Teatro alla Scala’s season on Thursday with an extravagantly lavish new production of “Aida” created by Franco Zeffirelli. Indeed, after the buildup that preceded the show, how else could the audience respond but by cheering the singers, the orchestra, the director, La Scala — and themselves for being there?