I lived in my VW van for two years before finally finding a nice little flat in Amsterdam in the 70s. I'm certain that if it hadn't been just a few blocks from the Concertgebouw, I probably would never have gotten to see any opera. And that's weird because one of my oldest and closest friends, Ken, was an opera reviewer for the NY Times. When we were kids he used to play opera for me and in December, 1965 brought me to my first experience of the Met, which was also the last season of the Old Met. We saw Verdi's Aida and it was Zubin Mehta's Met debut-- with Gabriela Tucci as Aida and Franco Corelli as Radames. Mehta is also conducting on this EMI-released version recorded in 1967 at the Rome Opera. I was able to isolate and combine the opening chorus and the Grand March (from Act II, Scene 2). Anyway, I imposed on Ken to write a explanation of Aida for Down With Tyranny tonight-- in case anyone is interested in knowing more about this incredible opera. I even asked him if he could relate Ramfis to Cheney. (He did.)