My first Aïda was at the Pittsburgh Opera way back in ’71 with Gabby the Tucch. Gabby was lovely, but completely overshadowed by Bianca Berini, still the guttsiest, bitchiest, verismoist Amneris in my experience.  Likewise her Leonora in Favorita and Principessa in Adriana.  She was the natural successor to all those exciting, hairy armpit, Cetra mezzos.