Callas & Company

1. Lucia di Lammermoor, opera Chi Me Frena...
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra with Maria Callas
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

2. Norma, opera Oh Di Qual Sei Tu Vittima...
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
with Maria Callas
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

3. La Traviata, opera Ah, Violetta...Voi, Signor!
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Lisbon Orquesta Sinfonica del Teatro Nacional de San Carlos with Maria Callas
Conducted by Franco Ghione

4. Tosca, opera Orsu, Tosca, Parlate
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
with Maria Callas
Conducted by Victor De Sabata

5. La forza del destino, opera Io Muoio! Confessione!
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by La Scala Theater Orchestra with Maria Callas
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

6. Carmen, opéra-comique in 4 acts Eh Bien! Vite, Quelles Nouvelles?
Composed by Georges Bizet
Performed by Paris National Opera Theater Orchestra with Maria Callas
Conducted by Georges Pretre

7. Aida, opera Vieni, O Diletta Appressati
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
with Maria Callas
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

8. La bohème, opera Act 3: Dunque e proprio finita
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
with Maria Callas
Conducted by Antonino Votto

9. Il Pirata, opera Cedo al Destin Orribile
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
Performed by American Opera Society Orchestra & Chorus with Maria Callas
Conducted by Nicola Rescigno

10. Il barbière di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), opera Ah, Qual Colpo
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra with Maria Callas
Conducted by Alceo Galliera

11. La Sonnambula, opera D'un Pensiero...
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
with Maria Callas
Conducted by Antonino Votto

Callas & Company,Vincenzo Bellini,Georges Bizet,Gaetano Donizetti,Giacomo Puccini,Gioachino Rossini,Giuseppe Verdi,Alceo Galliera,Antonino Votto,Franco Ghione,Georges Prêtre,Nicola Rescigno,Tullio Serafin,Victor de Sabata,American Opera Society Orchestra & Chorus,L'Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala,Lisbon Orquesta Sinfonica del Teatro Nacional de San Carlos,Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris,Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra,Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus,Maria Callas,Angel Records,Classical,Classical Music,French Romantic Opera,Italian Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

Average customer rating: Audio beauty and magnificence, Maria Callas sublime Good "Best Of" The Very Best of Maria Callas Classic Callas

The Very Best Of Maria Callas Maria Callas Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Maria Callas, the Voice of the Century The Most Famous Opera Arias The Best of Italian Opera The Most Famous Opera Duets The #1 Opera Album ASIN: B00005Y1YQ Release Date: 2002-02-12

Tracks:

1. Carmen: L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle
2. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
3. La Wally: Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana
4. Samson Et Dalila: Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix
5. Tosca: Vissi D'arte, Vissi D'amore
6. Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta
7. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Porgi Amor
8. Orphee Et Eurydice: J'ai Perdu Mon Eurydice
9. Aida: Ritorna Vincitor!
10. Adriana Lecouvreur: Respiro Appena... Lo So L'Umile Ancella
11. Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo
12. Norma: Casta Diva
13. Turandot: Signore, Ascolta!
14. Louise: Depuis Le Jour
15. La Boheme: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi
16. La Gioconda: Suicidio
17. La Forza Del Destino: Pace, Pace Mio Dio!

Customer Reviews:

Audio beauty and magnificence, Maria Callas.......2007-03-31

There are moments on this recording that are virtually audio heaven.
Ms. Callas' voice goes beyond the normal concept of beauty.

sublime.......2007-02-14

she is an angel , a voice without parallel , a collection very interesting of arias from different masters.

Good "Best Of".......2007-02-09

Maira Callas was never a favorite of mine, but she is notable as a passionate, (but sometime shrill to my ears) performer. This collection is a good single record tribute to her operatic legacy.

The Very Best of Maria Callas.......2006-08-20

Second on my list for CDs that should be recommended for people who want to start on a long trail of Callas to the Carmen with Gedda and Prétre. This has perhaps the best excerpts of all time from Maria Callas. The 'Ritorna vincitor' and 'Una voce poco fa' are to be treasured. Any long-time Callas fan will find this CD of little to no interest, because anything they haven't heard before, there's a better, low-audio-quality version of somewhere. 4 stars for that reason.

Classic Callas.......2006-07-11

Countless assessments of Maria Callas' life and career, as well as re-issues of some of her definitive recorded performances have been fueled by the 25th anniversaary of her tragic and prophetic death alone in her Paris flat on September 16, 1977. One of those such discs, this 17 track retrospective compilation from the archives of EMI is among the best. Every character she portrays is bought to life by her incomparible ability both vocally and emotionally. Enjoy!

Average customer rating: Verdi: Opera LaTraviata The Sound is very listenable Come closer to Maria Callas Best of La Traviata and Maria Callas Simply the best...

Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Giuseppe Verdi , Orchestra e coro del Teatro alla Scala , Carlo Maria Giulini , Maria Callas , Giuseppe di Stefano , Ettore Bastianini , Silvio Maionica , Luisa Mandelli , and Arturo La Porta Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Callas, Maria | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: Rigoletto (Complete Opera); Maria Callas; Tito Gobbi; Giuseppe di Stefano Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B00000630Y Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

1. La Traviata: Preludio (Orchestra)
2. La Traviata: Act One: Dell'invito trascorsa e gia l'lora
3. La Traviata: Act One: Libiamo, ne' lieti calici
4. La Traviata: Act One: Che e cio (coro/Violetta/Flora/Marchese/Barone/Dottore/Gaston/Alfredo)
5. La Traviata: Act One: Un di felice, eterea (Alfredo/Violetta)
6. La Traviata: Act One: Ebben? Che diavol fate? (Gastone/Violetta/Alfredo)
7. La Traviata: Act One: Si ridesta in ciel l'aurora (Flora/Gastone/Barone/Dottore/Marchese/Coro)
8. La Traviata: Act One: E strano! E strano!
9. La Traviata: Act One: Ah, fors'e lui che l'anima
10. La Traviata: Act One: Follie! follie! Delirio vano e questo! (Violetta)
11. La Traviata: Act One: Sempre libera (Violetta - Alfredo)
12. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Lunge da lei
13. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: De' miei bollenti spiriti (Alfredo)
14. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Annina, donde vieni?...Alfredo?...Per Parigi or or partiva (Alfredo/Annina/Violetta/Germont)
15. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Pura siccome un angelo
16. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Non sapete quale affetto
17. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Un di, quando le veneri
18. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Ah! dite alla giovine
19. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Imponete...Non amarlo ditegli
20. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Morro! La mia memoria (Germont/Violetta)
21. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Dammi tu forza, o cielo! (Violetta/Annina)
22. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Che fai?...Nulla (Alfredo/Violetta)
23. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Ah, vive sol quel core all'amore mio! (Alfredo/Commissionario/Germont)
24. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene One: Di Provenza il mar (Germont /Alfredo)

Tracks:

1. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene Two: Avram lieta di maschere la notte (Flora/Marchese/Dottore)
2. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene Two: Noi siamo zingarelle (Coro/Flora/Marchese/Dottore)
3. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene Two: Di Madride noi siam mattadori (Coro/Gastone/Flora/Dottore/Marchese)
4. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene Two: Alfredo! Voi!
5. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene Two: Invitato a qui seguirmi
6. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene Two: Ogni suo aver tal femmina (Flora/Gastone/Barone/Dottore/Marchese/Coro)
7. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene Two: Di sprezzo degno se stesso rende (Germont/Alfredo/Flora/Gastone/Barone/Dottore/Marchese/Coro)
8. La Traviata: Act Two: Scene Two: Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core (Violetta/Germont/Alfredo/Gastone/Barone/Dottore/Marchese/Coro)
9. La Traviata: Act Three: Preludio (Orchestra)
10. La Traviata: Act Three: Annina? ...Comandate? (Violetta/Annina/Dottore)
11. La Traviata: Act Three: Teneste la promessa
12. La Traviata: Act Three: Addio, del passato (Violetta)
13. La Traviata: Act Three: Largo al quadrupede (Coro)
14. La Traviata: Act Three: Signora!... Che t'accadde?
15. La Traviata: Act Three: Parigi, o cara (Annina/Violetta/Alfredo)
16. La Traviata: Act Three: Ah, non piu, a un tempio
17. La Traviata: Act Three: Ah! gran Dio! Morir si giovine (Violetta/Alfredo)
18. La Traviata: Act Three: Ah! Violetta...Voi, signor!
19. La Traviata: Act Three: Prendi, quest'e l'immagine (Germont/Violetta/Alfredo)
20. La Traviata: Act Three: Se una pudica vergine (Violetta/Germont/Alfredo/Annina/Dottore)

Amazon.com essential recording

This live recording of the 1955 Visconti production at La Scala is the best of the available Maria Callas Traviatas. Aside from a minor pitch problem or two, she's in great voice, coloring phrases to reveal character and investing the coloratura with variety and passion. Her "Addio del passato" is heart-breaking. She fully captures Violetta's pride and vulnerability in the scene with Germont, though her partner, Ettore Bastianini, sings insensitively, if beautifully. Giuseppe Di Stefano is all one could ask for as Alfredo. Carlo Giulini conducts a performance that delivers all the lyricism and drama of the score. The recorded sound is primitive, but in EMI's latest transfer you can listen through it to a wondrous performance. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Verdi: Opera LaTraviata.......2007-07-04

Enjoyable recording,singers Maria Callas, DiStefano,Bastianini surperb. Clarity as if recently recorded. Orchestra and chorus fantastic.

The Sound is very listenable.......2007-01-05

Don't be put off by other reviewers' rants on the sound of this superb performance. If you're comfortable listening to some of the better Opera D'Oro sets, you'll find this more than satisfactory. I ordered it recently despite those complaints and am VERY glad I did. If you want to hear truly unforgivable EMI sound of a pirate Callas, listen to the MACBETH; you'll then see what a good job EMI did with this Callas performance. But if you decide you want the Lisbon TRAVIATA instead of this one, just about everyone says the Pearl is far superior to EMI in their remastering job.

Come closer to Maria Callas.......2007-01-03

This CD is a master piece of Maria Callas' performance. Together with Stefano, they created a milestone that their followers are difficult to overpass. Listen to this live, you feel you were back in 1955. The atmosphere it produced is fresh and new to the later generations. But because the record technique as mono, not stereo, if you feel untolerable for the mono, it will cut your expectation little bit. But generally, if you are really a fans of Maria Callas, you will definately like it.

Best of La Traviata and Maria Callas.......2006-11-13

Even though this recording is not stereophonic, you can still enjoy the marvelous voice of Maria Callas. You don't have to see her performance to understand how artistic she was. With her voice she was not actually singing, but she was acting as well. Not many singers could portrait Violetta's character like Maria Callas portraits in this particular recording. I would definitely recommend everyone who is interested in operas or not interested at all. La Traviata in general is a very light opera, so you do not have to be an opera buff to like it.

Simply the best..........2006-03-19

This recording of one of the greatest Verdi's opera is surely the best I've ever heard. Callas was at her top, others interprets are excellent also. A great historical piece of art.

Average customer rating: Stick with the Plot Callas, an over-rated soprano It's a SHOCK! Perhaps The Best Recorded "Madama Butterfly" Perfection

Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Callas, Maria | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Puccini - La Bohème / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Ghiaurov, Karajan Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B000002RXX Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. E Soffitto...E Pareti...
2. Questa E La Cameriera
3. Dovunque Al Mondo
4. Quale Smania Vi Prende!
5. Quanto Cielo!...Ancora Un Passo Or Via
6. Gran Ventura
7. L'Imperial Commissario
8. Vieni, Amor Mio!
9. Ieri Son Salita Tutta Sola
10. Ed Eccoci In Famiglia
11. Vieni La Sera
12. Bimba Dagli Occhi Pieni Di Malia
13. Vogliatemi Bene, Un Bene Piccolino
14. E Izaghi Ed Izanami
15. Un Bel Di Vedremo
16. C'e. Entrate
17. Non Lo Sapete Insomma

Tracks:

1. A Voi Pero Giurerei Fede Costante
2. Ora A Noi
3. E Questo? E Questo?
4. Che Tua Madre Dovra
5. Io Scendo Al Piano
6. Vespa! Rospo Maledetto!
7. Una Nave Da Guerra
8. Scuoti Quella Fronda Di Ciliegio
9. Or Vienmi Ad Adornar
10. Cora A Bocca Chiusa
11. Oh Eh! Oh Eh! Oh Eh!
12. Gia Il Sole!
13. Povera Butterfly!
14. Io So Che Alle Sue Pene
15. Addio, Fiorito Asil
16. Glielo Dirai?
17. Che Vuol Da Me?
18. Come Una Mosca Prigioniera
19. Con Onor Muore

Customer Reviews:

Stick with the Plot.......2007-02-09

Puccini.

Up there with Mozart when it comes to tearing the heart out of your soul.

Maria Callas - what a sexy women - no wonder that rich Greek fella courted her. She is a diamond, a truly wonderful opera singer. No, she is better than that. Maria Callas interprets the music into an emotional fury that extends passion and mundanity to their horizons.

Why buy Playboy when you can get the real deal right here. Smouldering femininity with knobs on. Simply the best.

Callas, an over-rated soprano.......2006-12-22

Nicolai Gedda as B.F Pinkerton is brilliant, a true showman in the role and a brilliant tenor full-stop. Callas on the other was not good at Cio-Cio San, in fact she was terrible.
It truly shows the difference between the two lead roles vocal technique and capability, in 'Vogliatemi bene', Gedda was brilliant note perfect and tone perfect, Callas was terrible she shrieked most of her way through the duet and sang a shrill top C at the end which compared with Gedda's masterful top C was a piece of dirt.
If you disagree listen the the track over and over again, see how shrill and whiney Callas's top C really is.

All over brilliant performance by Gedda, Callas was unworthy of such a great Pinkerton.

It's a SHOCK!.......2005-12-21

It's a SHOCK how Callas interpreted "Madama Butterfly" It's close to perfect. Must listen for opera lovers!

Perhaps The Best Recorded "Madama Butterfly".......2005-09-07

There are many "Butterfly" recordings out there that are excellent in their own right but this recording deserves a category of excellence all it's own. What almost looks like mis-casting on paper, Callas does an astonishing job with the title role, which she recorded months before singing a series in Chicago and never to touch the role again. This is really one of those recordings that should be considered an historical event in the history of recorded opera. The collaboration of all the principles with von Karajan shows a unique unity that hasn't been duplicated very often.

But there's Callas' Cio Cio San that is really the reason to consider this recording. Even her silences, such as when she notices Kate in the garden in the final scenes, speaks volumes. There's this incredible thread that she creates from her entrance to her death that is like nothing I've ever heard before in this role. Also her choice of tone is remarkable and characteristic of this most chameleon of artists. She transforms herself from child to woman during the love duet and really does not sing at full tilt until the heart rendering final scene. This is an amazing studio portrayal and like I said, absolutely historical.

Perfection.......2005-08-09

I purchased Madama Butterfly and Macbeth online a couple of years ago. I listened to Macbeth first and was astonished. Then I decided to listen to Butterfly. When I heard Butterfly's entrance (Ancora un passo or via) I wasn't sure if the woman singing was Callas. As she went on singing, I was shocked. I couldn't believe my ears that this was the same woman I just heard a few minutes back singing evil Lady Macbeth. It was like listening to another singer. The transformation of the voice was a work of art itself. Listen to the way she says MORTO. The other highlights of this masterwork are the love duet, her mastery singing of un bel di, and her bone chilling con onor moure.
This recording is an excellent example of her artistry. Maria Callas' ability to change the tone of her voice for the different roles she performed onstage and recordings was great achievement. This is one of the many reasons why I love her so much. She has helped me through some tough times in the past. Whenever I was in need of inspiration, Callas came to the rescue. Maria Callas is my idol and I am grateful and honored to be part of the Maria Callas experience.

Average customer rating: Why 5... Find Out! Outstanding De Sabata! Most famous and controversial Tosca! The Tosca of the century Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow!!!!

Puccini: Tosca (1953) with Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi, cond. by de Sabata Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana & Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (complete operas) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Bizet: Carmen (Complete Opera); Mirella Freni; Jon Vickers; Grace Bumbry Rossini: The Barber of Seville (Complete opera); Beverly Sills; Nicolai Gedda; James Levine; London Symphony Orchestra ASIN: B0000E3HM3 Release Date: 2003-12-02

Tracks:

1. Ah! Finalmente!
2. E Sempre Lava!
3. Sante Ampolle! Il Suo Ritratto!
4. Dammi I Colori...Recondita Armonia
5. Gente La Dentro!
6. Mario!...Mario!...Mario!...Son Qui!
7. Ora Stammi A Sentir
8. Or Lasciami Al Lavoro
9. Ah, Quegli Occhi...Quale Occhio Al Mondo
10. Mia Gelosa!
11. E Buona La Mia Tosca
12. Sommo Giubilo, Eccellenza!
13. Un Tal Baccano In Chiesa!
14. Tosca? Che Non Mi Veda
15. Ed Io Venivo A Lui Tutta Dogliosa
16. Tre Sbirri, Una Carrozza

Tracks:

1. Tosca E Un Buon Falco!
2. Ha Piu Forte Sapore
3. O Galantuomo, Come Ando La Caccia?
4. Meno Male!
5. Ov'E Angelotti?
6. Ed Or Fra Noi Parliam Da Buoni Amici
7. Sciarrone, Che Dice Il Cavalier?
8. Orsu, Tosca, Parlate
9. Floria!...Amore
10. Salvatelo!...Lo?...Voi!
11. Se La Giurata Fede Debbo Tradir...Gia Mi Struggea L'Amor
12. Come Tu Mi Odi!
13. Vissi D'Arte
14. Vedi, Le Man Giunte Io Stendo A Te!
15. Lo Tenni La Promessa
16. Tosca, Finalmente Mia!
17. Or Gli Perdono!
18. Andante Sostenuto
19. Lento (Le Campane Suonano Mattutino)
20. Largo - Mario Cavaradossi? A voi... - Meno
21. E Lucevan Le Stelle
22. Moderato Con Moto
23. O Dolci Mani Mansuete E Pure
24. Senti, I'Ora E Vicina
25. Amaro Sol Per Te M'Era Il Moire
26. E Non Giungono
27. Come E Lunga I'Attesa!
28. Presto! Su, Mario!

Customer Reviews:

Why 5... Find Out!.......2006-10-13

When I first got this recording, it was my first Tosca. As such, I didn't know what to listen to (or what to listen for) and really at the time the only other soprano I had heard was Cecilia Bartoli in La Cenerentola. So bascially it was my first Tosca with my only soprano. Even so, I knew after listening to the second act that this would be the best Tosca I had ever heard. Callas gives an amazingly intuitive dramatic performance of Tosca, with di Stefano matching her wonderfully as Cavaradossi. Tito Gobbi, of course, is Scarpia and gives the role an extremely insightful flair. Spoletta is played by Angelo Mercuriali, who gives, if not the most dramatic, certainly a precise interpretation of the role. As with all of Callas's Tosca recordings, the second act (i.e. from "Tosca e un buon falco!" to "E qual via scegliete?") is perhaps the best interpretation of the music and the donna Tosca that I have heard. Behind the baton is Victor de Sabata, who provides a unique insight into the music. He brings out, as Toscanini says, "what Puccini intended for the audience to hear". 5 stars.

Outstanding De Sabata! Most famous and controversial Tosca! .......2004-08-07

This is one of the few recordings in which the conductor attracted my attention more than the singers. This is not to dismiss the singers but De Sabata's conducting makes this the most idiomatic Tosca recording I've ever heard.

All three protagonists are heard here in their short-lived prime. Callas in firm voice is a capricious, nervous and furious Tosca. Many accuse her of overacting but here she controls herself and most outbreaks sound sincere. You won't hear the grandness, dignity and beauty of Tebaldi's Tosca but Callas' Tosca is a unique creation. No need to argue which one is better, they both are legendary and besides, tastes differ.

Di Stefano is all ardour and tenderness in this most beloved tenor role. I can already hear the manners that eventually ruined his instrument but he nevertheless is a memorable Mario. Gobbi's Scarpia frightens Tosca not because of what he is but because of what he can do. Gobbi doesn't have the huge voice that made Bastianini or London so scary but he uses his to great effect and creates a sinister Baron Scarpia. Luise's Sagristano is most convincing.

One of the greatest virtues of this old Tosca recording is its vitality and chemistry between the performers. No wonder that since its release it's impossible to make and accurate historical evaluation of Puccini's Tosca without taking it into account. Finally released at budget price!

The Tosca of the century.......2004-05-17

This recording has been showered with accolades and praise by critics, operafans, reviewers etc. etc. And listening to it a whole world comes to life. In a time when Puccini's masterpieces are destroyed by arrogant "directors" this golden age recording is like a breath of fresh air. Callas is in her prime, sounding fresh, loving, passionate and fascinating. She became Tosca, all her jealousies, passions, moods, fears are so real, so sublime and natural that you'll forget that you're listening to a recording. She cleared Tosca of those veristic, fish-wife tears after "Egli ved ch'io piango!" and her tears and agony are heard through her voice alone. Listen to Tosca's ardent "A come la sai bene l'arte di farti amare!" ... She sounds so gorgeous, so lucid and passionate, it'll warm your heart. Then there is act II with the never equalled clash between Tosca and the evil Scarpia sung and acted to perfection by Callas (Whose high Cs will chill you!) and Gobbi. (The only Scarpia) Listen to Callas' tearful, beautiful "Vissi d'arte" sung with exquisite legato, velvety warmth and most tearful colours. Pleading "Why, oh lord dost thou repay me thus?" she will break your heart! The chilling murder of Scarpia with Callas/Tosca ROARING "M'ai assai TORTURATO!!!!!" is too thrilling to describe. And the final duet sung with di Stefano and Tosca's suicide are portrayed hauntingly. Di Stefano, her favourite partner and part of the greatest operatic trio of the century (Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi) sounds sunny, charming and passionate. In short: It's the best Tosca ever recorded.

Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow!!!!.......2004-03-16

This is my first Callas recording. I was curious about her, of course, but I was always put off by descriptions of more or less horrendous audio problems on the famous recordings. Used to modern recordings, I didn't know how I'd react to such bad sound, so I put off trying.

No more! This is a new (12/03) EMI Remaster of the famous de Sabata "Tosca" -- yes, THE definitive "Tosca" starring Callas, Di Stefano, and Gobbi. And I can tell you it sounds WONDERFUL!

Why is this set so affordable, then? I have no idea! There is no libretto included, only a slim booklet with a track list, a short synopsis of the action for each track, and one article about the opera and this performance. There is no cardboard case, and only a simple 2-part jewelcase, not the hefty one often provided with opera CD sets.

But it's enough!! It's more than enough! I'd buy these disks if they were sold loose in a paper bag. I am totally, permanently won over. This performance is simply electrifying! The music leaps out of the speakers and grabs you. Callas as Tosca had me in tears! Scarpia scared me! It's too good to believe it happened several decades ago.

All I can say is, Buy this now before they realize what a gem this is and raise the price! You won't regret it.

Average customer rating: K.Teezy Bizet: Carmen (Callas, Gedda, et al) Imperfect? Maybe. Worthwhile? Yes! Throw me into solitary confinement with this CD Callas...Callas...Callas...

Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra Georges Bizet , Maria Callas , Nicolai Gedda , Georges Prêtre , Orchestre de Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris , Choeurs René Duclos , Robert Massard , Jane Berbié , Andrea Guiot , and Claude Cales Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Puccini - La Bohème / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Ghiaurov, Karajan Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B000002RXS Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. Carmen: Prelude - (Orchestre)
2. Carmen: Act One: Sur la place - (Choeur/Morales/Micaela)
3. Carmen: Act One: Avec la garde montante - (Choeur d'enfants/Morales/Jose)
4. Carmen: Act One: C'est bien la, n'est-ce pas
5. Carmen: Act One: La cloche a sonne... Dans l'air, nous suivons des yeux la fumee - (Choeur)
6. Carmen: Act One: Quand je vous aimerai ?... L'amour este un oiseau rebelle - (Carmen/Choeur)
7. Carmen: Act One: Carmen ! sur tes pas, nous nous pressions tous ! - (Choeur/Carmen/Jose)
8. Carmen: Act One: Quels regards ! Quelle effrontere !
9. Carmen: Act One: Parle-moi de ma mere !
10. Carmen: Act One: Reste la, maintenant, pendant que je lirai - (Jose/Micaela)
11. Carmen: Act One: Que se passe-t-il donc la-bas?...Au secours! Au secours! - (Zuniga/Choeur)
12. Carmen: Act One: Mon officer, c'etait une querelle - (Jose/Zuniga/Carmen)
13. Carmen: Act One: Pres des remparts de Seville - (Carmen/Jose)
14. Carmen: Act One: Voico l'ordre; partez - (Zuniga/Carmen)
15. Carmen: Entr'acte - (Orchestre)
16. Carmen: Act Two: Les tringles des sistres tintaient - (Carmen)
17. Carmen: Act Two: Messieurs, Pastia me dit - (Frasquita/Zuniga/Carmen/Mercedes)
18. Carmen: Act Two: Vivat ! vivat ! le Torero ! - (Choeur/Zuniga)
19. Carmen: Act Two: Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre -(Escamillo/Choeur)
20. Carmen: Act Two: La belle, un mot - (Escamillo/Carmen/Zuniga)
21. Carmen: Act Two: Eh bien ! vite, Quelles nouvelles ?.. Nous avons en tete une affaire - (Frasquita/Le Dancaire/Mercedes/Le Remendado/Carmen)

Tracks:

1. Carmen: Act Two: Mais qui donc attends-tu? - (Le Dancaire/Carmen/Le Remendado)
2. Carmen: Act Two: Halte-l- (Jose/Carmen/Frasquita/Mercedes/Le Dancaire/Le Remendado)
3. Carmen: Act Two: Enfin c'est toi! ...Tout doux, Monsieur, tout doux
4. Carmen: Act Two: La fleur que tu m'avais jet...Non, tu ne m'aimes pas - (Carmen/Jose)
5. Carmen: Act Two: Holarmen! HolHol- (Zuniga/Jose/Carmen/Le Dancaire/Le Remendado)
6. Carmen: Entr'acte - (Orchestre)
7. Carmen: Act Three: oute, ecoute, compagnon, ecoute - (Choeur/Le Dancaire/Remendado/Jose/Carmen/Mercedes/Frasquita)
8. Carmen: Act Three: Reposons-nous une heure ici, mes camarades - (Le Dancaire/Carmen/Jose)
9. Carmen: Act Three: Mns! Coupons! - (Frasquita/Mercedes/Carmen)
10. Carmen: Act Three: Eh bien? - (Carmen/Le Dancaire/Frasquita)
11. Carmen: Act Three: Quant au douanier, c'est notre affaire - (Carmen/Mercedes/Frasquita)
12. Carmen: Act Three: C'est des contrebandiers le refuge ordinaire...Je dis, que rien ne m'epouvante
13. Carmen: Act Three: Je ne me trompe pas...c'est lui sur ce rocher - (Micaela)
14. Carmen: Act Three: Quelques lignes plus bas...HolholJos (Escamillo/Jose/Carmen/Le Dancaire/Micaela/Frasquita/Mercedes/Remendado/Choeur)
15. Carmen: Entr'acte - (Orchestre)
16. Carmen: Act Four: A deux cuartos! A deux cuartos! - (Choeur/Zuniga)
17. Carmen: Act Four: Les voici! voici la quadrille! - (Choeur/Escamillo/Carmen/Frasquita)
18. Carmen: Act Four: C'est toi!...Carmen, il est temps encore ...Viva! viva! la course est belle! - (Carmen/Jose/Choeur)

Amazon.com essential recording

This recording was made near the end of Maria Callas's career. It is a role she never sang onstage, but it suited her almost perfectly, and she gives a deep, compelling performance on this recording. The mezzo-soprano tessitura was comfortable for her voice, and the role did not call for a pretty sound. Nor did the recording studio require the kind of huge vocal power expected in an opera house. And furthermore, the character of a strong-willed, capricious, sexually compelling woman who thinks exclusively of herself was close to the offstage personality that made Callas so famous. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

K.Teezy.......2007-07-11

Received the product in a very timely manner....I've enjoyed listening to the CD on the way into work. It helps me relax.

Bizet: Carmen (Callas, Gedda, et al).......2007-01-10

Of the many recordings of Carmen that I've owned, this is the best. Callas has the perfect voice for it.

Imperfect? Maybe. Worthwhile? Yes!.......2006-10-11

Maria Callas' CARMEN has had at best, a checkered history. It seems to have found a permanent home in many record collections over the years, considering it has been released as an LP, cassette, and now CD, so it's loved by many if not by all the critics. It had some foes before it was released. Callas had never performed CARMEN on stage and in 1964 when the set was first issued, it was believed that a recording should only showcase an artist's best work after years of perfection. Since Maria Callas was Maria Callas, Angel records took a chance and released it, knowing she'd probably never attempt the role on stage. As soon as it was released, there was a noticeable decline in her vocal abilities, which caught many fans off guard. Still, it's stood the test of time. Maria Callas at her not so great is still better than some at their peak, and even if the voice isn't perfect, it still has an expressive quality to it that's evident to anyone who listens to it.

Maria Callas' performance for this set is interesting. One of the greatest strengths of her singing was her ability to portray a character through her voice and this may be why this set has a loyal following. We feel as if we are encountering the fiery, sensual woman that is Carmen in just about every note that Callas sings. It's hard not to forgive what some critics called an imperfect vocal performance when there is such a passion behind the singing. In the end, we have one of the most original interpretations of the role. Callas is joined by tenor Nicolai Gedda. Technically Gedda's performance cannot be faulted. He hits the notes and sings with ease. For Don Jose, this may not be enough, however. We want Jose to darken vocally as the opera progresses, and this does not happen. Gedda's strength is his beautiful voice that has suited him well in a great array of operas, but it doesn't have the robust quality that tenors such as Domingo or Corelli can bring to the role. For some of the opera's more tender moments, most notably the Don Jose/ Micaela duet in Act I "Parle-moi De Ma Mere," Gedda's light and lyrical voice is a perfect fit. I find the duet astounding and it could arguably be the best rendition of this work, which is due in no small part also to the beautiful voice of Andrea Guiot, who likewise gives a great solo performance in her aria "Je Dis, que rien ne `epouvante". Robert Messard as Escamillo does the job, but lacks the bravado of the confident lady-killer bullfighter he supposed to be. The orchestra and chorus under the direction of Georges Pretre perform beautifully and the smaller roles are all well cast.

With an opera such as CARMEN, where so many great singers have performed and recorded major roles, there is stiff competition between sets. It also seems as if there isn't one perfect set. Some great Carmens have been paired with lousy casts, and some lousy Carmens have great casts. This set isn't perfect, but overall it has a certain flow to it and for me, it feels like a CARMEN should feel.

Throw me into solitary confinement with this CD.......2006-01-25

My favorite singer singing my favorite opera. No other opera is so filled with fresh, innovative melodies... dramatic polar contrasts/opposites, and choir-multiple character interactions. No singer is as clean ( with accurate timing of gasps and rests) dramatic and prolific as Callas. In my mind this is the pinnacle of opera and most definitely of the non-Italian 19th century operatic landscape.

Callas...Callas...Callas..........2005-12-21

Even though Callas did not play "Carmen" on stage, she really saw through Carmen. AMAZING.

Average customer rating: The Incomparable Callas A complete classic among classics Stellar cast - stellar performance A "Regular People" Review this is not a review

Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Giacomo Puccini , Victor De Sabata , Maria Callas , Giuseppe di Stefano , Tito Gobbi , and Orchestra e Coro del Teatro alla Scala Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Sopranos | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Tenors | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Callas, Maria | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Verdi - Rigoletto / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Milnes, LSO, Bonynge Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B000002RXZ Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. TOSCA: Ah! Finalmente! (Cavaradossi)
2. TOSCA: Dammi i colori...Recondita armonia (Cavaradossi)
3. TOSCA: Gente lentro! (Cavaradossi - Tosca)
4. TOSCA: Mario! Mario! Mario!
5. TOSCA: Ah, quegli occhi...Quale occhio al mondo puar di paro (Tosca - Cavaradossi)
6. TOSCA: buona la mia Tosca (Cavaradossi)
7. TOSCA: Un tal baccano in chiesa! (Scarpia)
8. TOSCA: Tutto hiaro...Tosca? Che non mi veda...Mario! Mario! (Scarpia - Tosca)
9. TOSCA: Ed io venivo a lui tutta dogliosa (Tosca - Scarpia)
10. TOSCA: Tre sbirri, una carrozza (Scarpia)

Tracks:

1. TOSCA: Tosca n buon falco! (Scarpia)
2. TOSCA: Ha pite (Scarpia)
3. TOSCA: Meno male! (Scarpia - Cavaradossi)
4. TOSCA: Dov'unque Angelotti? (Scarpia - Cavaradossi - Tosca)
5. TOSCA: Ed or fra noi parliam da buoni amici...Scarrione, che dice il Cavalier? (Scarpia - Tosca - Cavaradossi)
6. TOSCA: Orssca, parlate (Scarpia - Tosca - Caravadossi)
7. TOSCA: Basta, Roberti
8. TOSCA: Nel pozzo....Del giardino (Scarpia - Tosca - Caravadossi)
9. TOSCA: Se la giurata fede debbo tradir (Scarpia - Tosca)
10. TOSCA: Vissi d'arte (Tosca)
11. TOSCA: Vedi, le man guinte io stendo a te! (Scarpia - Tosca)
12. TOSCA: E qual via scegliete? (Scarpia - Tosca)
13. TOSCA: Io de' sospiri
14. TOSCA: Act III / Mario Cavaradossi? A voi (Cavaradossi)
15. TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle (Cavaradossi)
16. TOSCA: Ah! Franchigia a Floria Tosca
17. TOSCA: O dolci mani mansuete e pure (Cavaradossi - Tosca)
18. TOSCA: E non giungono (Tosca - Cavaradossi)
19. TOSCA: Com'unga l'attesa! (Tosca)
20. TOSCA: Presto! Su, Mario! Mario! Su! Presto! Andiam! (Tosca)

Amazon.com essential recording

Little can be added to what's been written about this landmark recording, except that Walter Legge's 1953 mono production yields nothing to modern Tosca recordings for vivacity and theatrical impact--especially Maria Callas's. The miraculous Victor de Sabata conjures up a vibrant, inspiring orchestral canvas that enables Callas and her stellar cohorts to work their magic. Tito Gobbi and Callas spur each other on to heights in which the characters take over from the singers in the listener's mind. Giuseppe Di Stefano is on his best behavior, and in fresher voice than on his fine Leontyne Price-Herbert von Karajan remake. On this set, EMI includes texts, translations, and notes that discuss this recording in the context of Callas's mercurial career. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

The Incomparable Callas .......2007-05-13

She was sui generis (unlike any other) and for any fan of Mme. Callas this CD is a "must have!!! For the younger generation who were not fortunate enough to have ever heard her in person, her voice, although imperfect,portrays the complexity of Floria Tosca, through the delicate shadings of Callas' voice. Tosca is vulnerable, she is jealous, she is loving, she is delicate and tough at the same time. All of this is plain to hear through the marvel of this greatest of singing actresses.

A complete classic among classics.......2007-03-19

This is one of the few opera recordings that can reach immortality. De Sabata conducts superb over orchestra and a trinity of "monsters": Di Stefano, Callas and Gobbi understood not only the music but the drama. Opera as it always must be. What can we say about the climatic experience of Callas and Gobbi together, probably the most talented actors in opera?
At the end, pay attention (it is impossible not to) to Tosca's death... In the voice of Callas, no other soprano in history have achieved such perfection.

Stellar cast - stellar performance.......2007-01-11

What more can be said about this recording that has not already been abundantly elaborated?
Callas at her best with a supporting cast that made this recording stand the test of time. I received two recordings this Christmas as a present so that I can compare and perhaps change my mind (the Alagna - Gheorghiou & the Leontyne Price sets). I listened carefully and although I have to admit that Price's voice has a more melodic sonority Callas was the ultimate performer what little she may have lacked in her voice she more than made with her dramatic qualities, she had a stage presence that can be "heard" without having to watch her.
This is truly a premier performance of an operatic masterpiece. Enjoy it.

A "Regular People" Review.......2006-12-04

Hey I'm an Opera newbie trying to find his way around the maze with the help of Opera 101 (any Opera guru's out there that would like to help me out here?). Thanks to the Books advice I picked up this Opera and WOW! This is great stuff. Don't be intimidated by Opera you'll be missing out on this!

this is not a review.......2006-08-15

Just the fact that this product has gathered 123 reviewers by the time I write my first comment ever in a similar internet site, should tell something per se... I am a singer myself. I could write endless technical comments on the slightest vocal or musical nuance these four legendary musicians have contributed here. Empty words! Just ask yourselves: "Do I really and humbly love Music!?" If the answer is "YES!!!", run and buy this recording.

PS. Listen with the libretto in your hands (translation of it if you dont speak italian). Do it. At least the first time through... a Sunday afternoon. You'll remember me.

Average customer rating: Not a first-rank Boheme Who would have thought? Callas: An Unexpected, Heartbreaking Mimi Moved to tears La Boheme at its best

Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Giacomo Puccini Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Callas, Maria | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra Verdi: Rigoletto (Complete Opera); Maria Callas; Tito Gobbi; Giuseppe di Stefano ASIN: B000002RXW Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. Questo Mar Rosso Mi Ammollisce E Assidera
2. Abbasso, Abbasso L'Autor!
3. Si Puo?...Chi E La?
4. Al Quartiere Latin Ci Attende Momus
5. Non Sono In Vena
6. Che Gelida Manina!
7. Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi
8. Ehi! Rodolfo!...O Soave Fanciulla
9. Aranci, Datteri!
10. Chi Guardi?...Odio Il Profano Volgo
11. Beviam...Ch'io Beva Del Tossico!
12. Quando Men' Vo
13. Chi L'Ha Richiesto?...Vediam

Tracks:

1. Ohe, La, Le Guardie...Aprite!
2. Mimi?!...Speravo Di Trovarvi Qui
3. Marcello. Finalmente
4. D'Onde Lieta Usci Al Tuo Grido D'Amore
5. Dunque E Proprio Finita?
6. In Un Coupe?...Con Pariglia E Livree
7. O Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni
8. Che Ora Sia?
9. C'E Mimi...C'E Mimi Che Mi Segue E Che Sta Male
10. Vecchia Zimarra, Senti
11. Schaunard, Ognuno Per Diversa Via
12. Sono Andatl?
13. Oh Dio! Mimi!...Che Avvien?

Customer Reviews:

Not a first-rank Boheme.......2006-10-31

Comparing this with the Freni/Pavarotti/Karajan recording that is my benchmark for the work...

1. While I enjoy large-scale performances of opera scores in general, and Karajan's in particular, Votto's lighter hand is probably closer to the composer's intentions and serves the music very nicely.

2. di Stefano has a marvelous heroic gleam in his voice - and, unlike Pavarotti, actually articulates the syllables. It would be nice if he had Pav's power - since when he tries to cut through the orchestra at full blare I'm afraid he's going to rupture something. But as I once said in a Wagner review: Opera, like politics, is an art of compromises.

3. I know the Callas fanatics will flay me alive for this, but Mimi isn't a role where you can get by on "expressiveness" alone. At some points, the soprano simply has to make with the canary. But when La Divina goes for that big offstage "Amor!" at the end of "Che gelida manina", she sounds more like a cat whose tail got under the rocking chair.

Who would have thought?.......2005-01-18

Who would have thought that Callas, who had the great voice for Verdi, Bellini, Rossini, Donizetti, Spontini, Cherubini, Bizet, Giordano, Gluck, Massenet, Haydn (yes, she performed a world premiere for a long forgotten opera called Orfeo ed Euridice), great Puccini roles, and Wagner, would have succeeded at an AMAZING Mimi, a frail role associated with light sopranos who play around with the character. From her very first breath to the last utterance by the flower girl in her death scene, no other soprano could have bettered Callas in both voice and dramatization in this indelible recording of Puccini's favorite opera (ask around, it's not Madama Butterfly). Of course, since Maria Anna Sophia Cecilia Kalegoropoulos was born a natural tragedienne, she was undoubtedly going to succeed in this role. This is one of the many reasons, possibly the most important reason, why this Boheme should not be overlooked.

Then there is Giuseppe di Stefano, the passionate Italian tenor who sings Rodolfo like no one ever did or ever will. He sang it with an ardour which would leave one in tears. He is the ideal Rodolfo voice, with his ability to color phrases with shades and tones of passion and love and hate and anger. In this aspect, he was almost Callas' equal. He doesn't sing it like Pavarotti, who I believe sings Rodolfo like a cow being dragged into the slaughterhouse. Pavarotti screams too many of his high notes, and he only became world famous for his nine high C's in the Pour Mon Ame aria from Donizetti's La Fille du Regiment. He fails however, in darker composer works like Puccini and Verdi. He should have stayed in the bel canto repertoire where he could have done more wonders with his voice.

Then there the HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT and FIERY Anna Moffo as the controversial Musetta. How fortunate we are to have this first-rate prima donna in this recording side-by-side with Callas and di Stefano. And Rolando Panerai...stellar cast!

Not a recording to miss.

Callas: An Unexpected, Heartbreaking Mimi.......2004-09-22

Votto, almost more than any other conductor I can think of, has a feel for this score that is natural and always in the moment - like no other. I know every note of this score, but that night - on 48 year old vinyl - I was hearing things in the score I'd not noticed before. Act II has never been more fun than in this recording and the young Anna Moffo is a delight - frothy, self-important and able to
strike the perfect balance between sincerity and superficiality.

Callas's Mimi is fine, believable, in Act I, even if not as meltingly sung as her rivals on record (but she's still pretty darned close!).

Then come Acts III and IV - and no one comes close to matching Callas here - Freni and Tebaldi approach this, but Callas's uniqueness is special - if not for everyone. The sense of gravitas she gives to Mimi is made all the more remarkable by her lightness of touch and downplaying of the actual morbidness. Every note is weighted to give the maximum effect of a total
character and Mimi has never come more alive in any recording. Callas knows this character inside and out. It only makes me wonder what she might have been like in this role on stage. Even never having performed Mimi, Callas offers the most complete portrait of this tragic heroine, getting everything just right.

No this Boheme is not Callas alone as Votto's entire, perfectly blended cast, absolutely sparkles. Everyone sings this music as though it were brand new and the ink not yet dry on the score,. There is such youthful vibrancy and freshness to every bar. If the Act III scene between Mimi and Marcello fails to wrest a tear from your eye, well my friends, I can't then imagine what could!

Di Stefano pours his everything into Rodolfo and even with the voice not quite what it had been just a few years earlier - it's still a gorgeous sound and no Rodolfo is more passionate. The scenes between he and Mimi are some of the finest examples of acting with the voice I've yet encountered. Diction, breathing, sense of phrasing, timing and the colors each of them produce give an unusual sense of depth to these youthful characters.

Again, Votto's attention to the tiniest detail without an ounce of fussiness, his sense of propulsion - expanding and contracting the music to optimum effect for the singer is revelatory.

Moved to tears.......2004-07-13

I just finished listening to this for the first time. Act III&IV are so beautiful, I'll never forget this experience. Callas and di Stefano, what a pair! Please buy this gem to know what La Boheme is all about!

La Boheme at its best.......2004-03-17

There are many great Bohemes, my favourites are the classical set with Björling and de los Angeles, this set with Callas and the one with Carreras and Stratas. (On DVD) Callas totally surprised me. Unlike her Medea or Tosca she sounds gentle, vulnerable and loveable. There is this precious colour she only used for Mimi, it's so hard to describe... Di Stefano sounds honeyed, passionate and great as Rodolfo, a role that suited him much better than for example Manrico. Moffo dazzles as young Musetta. It's a great addition to every opera-collection.

Average customer rating: Bravo a tutti! Doing Rossini Right A Magnificent Performance ! An iconic version of this opera It's not just the stars, but the drama...

Rossini: The Barber Of Seville with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Alceo Galliera, Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus Gioachino Rossini , Alceo Galliera , Maria Callas , Luigi Alva , Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus , Gabriella Carturan , Tito Gobbi , Fritz Ollendorf , and Mario Carlin Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Callas, Maria | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra Verdi: Rigoletto (Complete Opera); Maria Callas; Tito Gobbi; Giuseppe di Stefano Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B000002RY1 Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Overture - G. Rossini
2. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 1 - Piano, pianissimo, senza parlar - G. Rossini
3. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 1 - Ecco ridente in cielo - G. Rossini
4. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 1 - Ehi, Fiorello? - G. Rossini
5. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 1 - Mille grazie, mio signore - G. Rossini
6. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 1 - Gente indiscreta! (Figaro) - G. Rossini
7. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 1 - La ran la le ra, la ran la la. Largo al factotum (Figaro) - G. Rossini
8. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 1 - Ah, che bella vita! (Figaro) - G. Rossini
9. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 1 - Se il mio nome saper voi bramate (Figaro, Rosina) - G. Rossini
10. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 1 - Oh, cielo! - G. Rossini
11. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 1 - All'idea di quel metallo (Figaro) - G. Rossini
12. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 2 - Una voce poco fa (Rosina) - G. Rossini
13. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 2 - Si, si, la vincero (Figaro, Rosina) - G. Rossini
14. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 2 - Ah, disgraziato Figaro! (Rosina, Figaro) - G. Rossini
15. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 2 - Ah! Barbiere d'inferno - G. Rossini
16. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 2 - La calunnia e un venticello - G. Rossini
17. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 2 - Ah! Che ne dite? - G. Rossini
18. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 2 - Ma bravi! Ma benone! - G. Rossini
19. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 2 - Dunque io son (Figaro, Rosina) - G. Rossini
20. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 2 - Ora mi sento meglio (Rosina) - G. Rossini
21. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act I, Scene 2 - A un dottor della mia sorte - G. Rossini

Tracks:

1. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Finora in questa camera - Rossini
2. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Ehi, di casa, buona gente - Rossini
3. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Che cosa accadde, signori miei - Rossini
4. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Fredda ed immobile - Rossini
5. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Ma signor... ma un dottor - Rossini
6. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Act II: Ma vedi il mio destino! - Rossini
7. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Pace e giola sia con voi - Rossini
8. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Insomma, mio signore, chi e lei? - Rossini
9. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Venite, signorina - Rossini
10. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Contro un cor che accende amore - Rossini
11. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Bella voce! Bravissima! - Rossini
12. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Quando mi sei vicina - Rossini
13. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Bravo, signor barbiere, ma bravo! - Rossini
14. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Don Basilio!... Cosa veggo! - Rossini
15. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Che vecchio sospettoso! - Rossini
16. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Il vecchiotto cerca moglie - Rossini
17. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Temporale - Thunderstorm - Gewittermusik - Musique d'orage - Rossini
18. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Alfine eccoci qua - Rossini
19. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Ah, qual colpo inaspettato! - Rossini
20. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Ah, disgraziati noi! - Rossini
21. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Insomma io ho tutti i torti - Rossini
22. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Di si felice innesto - Rossini

Amazon.com essential recording

Maria Callas surprised some fans when this recording appeared in 1958 by singing some of Rosina's music in the mezzo-soprano range. Originally used by Rossini, the mezzo range helped Callas in characterizing Rosina not as a bird-brained, twittering, helpless ingenue but as a crafty, intelligent woman, smarter than any of the men around her (even the resourceful Figaro). Callas's Rosina knew exactly what she wanted and how she would get it. It is a brilliant performance, made even more enjoyable by the first-class contributions of Tito Gobbi, Luigi Alva, and Alceo Galliera. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

Bravo a tutti!.......2007-05-31

This "barbiere" is outstanding. The singing of Maria Callas (although the role of Rosina is intended for a mezzo) is clear and beautiful and transmits joy and determination. Tito Gobbi as Figaro is marvelous: humorous, hillarable and potent, he really makes Dr. Bartolo life a hell. Luigi Alva as the Count is great but sometimes his voice is too thin yet pretty. Fritz Ollendorf's Dottor Bartolo is very good, dark sometimes but very good.

The orchestra and the chorus are very well conducted by Maestro Alceo Galliera: good tempi and pretty good strenght. If you're getting into opera, this is the opera to start with and this is the version to listen.

Doing Rossini Right.......2007-05-22

My desert island list would include a recording of "Il Barbiere di Sevilia" but the choice of either this EMI set or RCA's Living Stereo Edition, would cause me to attempt smuggling in one or the other recordings of this work. My heart belongs to the Callas/Gobbi set because it was one of the first opera recordings I owned. What grabbed me as a pre-teen was that I could visualize the action through nothing more than the voices of the two lead singers and their ability to shade words. I was oblivious to the reservations many had about both singers in 1958. Gobbi's dry baritone and Callas's edgy and unsteady high notes were for me easy to excuse and I still feel the same way. The RCA set has Robert Merrill and Roberta Peters in their prime. Their voices are simply gorgeous and just as theatrically real as Gobbi/Callas. The RCA set is virtually uncut on 3 disks, the EMI set has some traditional cuts on 2 disks.
But the RCA set distances itself with the presence of coloratura lyric tenor, Cesare Valletti as Almaviva, not that Luigi Alva is second best but the RCA set reinstates Rossini's original closing to the final act with a show stopping coloratura tenor aria that would eventually end up as the closing aria for his Cinderella, "La Cenerentola". There is a passage here with music as fleet and difficult that I thought only a coloratura counter-tenor could sing. Valletti's voice is not as handsome as Alva's but the coloratura work is amazing.

I give both recordings four stars and as much as I dislike having more than version of an opera in my collection, these two recordings are recordings I turn to many times when I want to hear some extraordinary singing.

Now to sonics. Both recordings were made in 1958 but the RCA edition, the second CD edition of this recording, will be of interest to audiophile fans. The sound is splendid, open, with full fidelity. Some ensembles at full tilt distort a bit but the digital master was made using the original tapes on the original tape decks. RCA chose to not clean up the sound (tape hiss) for fear that the original fidelity and crispness would diminish the overall effect. They were right. The EMI remastering is good but I'm always cautious with these Callas Editions because EMI ruined several Callas mono recordings, mistaking the work of adventurous producers and engineers and even pitching some of the recordings incorrectly. But the sound is close to what I remembered with the LP editions. There is a hint of tape hiss, but I would rather have the hiss than the flat line noise reduction systems that deaden the brightness.

A Magnificent Performance !.......2007-05-12

I can only say that Tito Gobi has a voice and performance that is, in this opera, the very best that I have ever heard.

An iconic version of this opera.......2007-03-11

This is one of the great recordings of Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia." The cast is terrific: Maria Callas as Rosina (in her prime when her voice had not become balky), Tito Gobbi (as Figaro), Luigi Alva (as the Count), Fritz Ollendorff (as Bartolo), and Nicola Zaccaria (as Basilio). Alceo Galliera conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus. A few comments to give a sense of the performance. However, suffice it to say that this is a version that still thrills.

Galliera conducts the well know overture with zest. This is an engaging version taken at a sprightly pace. It starts the opera off well.

"Ecco ridente" is an aria sung by Count Almaviva (Luigi Alva), as he tries to woo Rosina. This serenade is smoothly sung. Alva shows some vocal agility at the close of this aria.

Then, of course, there is Figaro's showpiece--"Largo al factotum." Gobbi has mastered this piece. Her throws off the phrases with panache and captures well the spirit of Figaro. An iconic version (an overused term, but accurate in this instance). The piece is taken at a quick pace, as it must be. There are nice touches here (note how Gobbi throws off "di qualita"). Gobbi easily handles the presto close to this work. All in all, an excellent version.

Callas is in good voice as she essays "Una voce poco fa." Later in her career, when she amped up her volume, some ugliness could creep in to her voice. Not here. This is a nice version of the piece. She displays some good coloratura technique in this aria. Good characterization, too. The cabaletta is well sung, with Callas showing off an agile voice. She hits the notes cleanly.

Finally, the wonderful sextet (this has to be one of the best ensemble pieces in all of opera!). "Fredda ed immobile" begins the fireworks. Everyone gets into the act here. This starts slowly and begins to accelerate, leading into "Ma signor. . .ma un dottor." This is rollicking and immense fun. The work shows great velocity as it unwinds. Callas' singing is infectious, but everyone is in the proper spirit.

And on it goes. This version features a terrific cast, led by a good conductor. To repeat, this is one of the most satisfying versions of "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" out there.

It's not just the stars, but the drama..........2004-12-22

Others have written of the undoubtedly great individual performances of most of the soloists in this recording. The most important feature of this opera in general, though, is the drama - it just doesn't work as highlights. At conveying the drama, this recording absolutely excels, primarily through the quality of the ensemble singing of the soloists. The finale of Act I is the finest piece of dramatic singing anywhere in my collection outside live recordings, and one I return to much more than the "lollipops". The timing is perfect, and the balance exceptional.

I suppose it is obligatory to mention a couple of negatives: firstly there is what sounds like some odd balance or microphone placement in some scenes (although my recording predates the nineties mastering mentioned by someone else here, so I'd be interested to see whether that has changed there). Secondly Callas' singing style doesn't really fit the Rosina part, for me. However, that is more than made up for the brilliance of her coloratura, evident particularly to my ears in the Finaletto to Act II. Could do with a bit more subtlety from the chorus in places, too, but the Chorus is often a weakness in recordings from this period.

This was the first opera I ever bought on CD, and therefore it must have been one of the first reissued on CD. I don't think it's been off the shelves ever since, so if you haven't got it, buy it.

Average customer rating: Callas, di Stefano and Gobbi. Lucia di Lammermoor. An actress, and a woman sings Best Studio Recording Lovely recording Not THAT much shorter, the traditional cuts

Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Puccini: Tosca (1953) with Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi, cond. by de Sabata Bellini: I Puritani Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana & Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (complete operas) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Maria Callas 100 Best Classics ASIN: B00064N8S6 Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

1. Preludio
2. Percorrete Le Spiagge Vicine
3. Tu Sei Turbato!...E N'ho Ben Donde
4. Cruda, Funesta Smania
5. Il Tuo Dubbio E Omai Certezza
6. La Pietade In Suo Favore
7. Maestoso
8. Ancor Non Giunse!
9. Regnava Nel Silenzio
10. Quando Rapito In Estasi
11. Egli S'Avanza
12. Sulla Tomba Che Rinserra
13. Qui Di Sposa Eterna Fede
14. Ah, Talor Del Tuo Pensiero
15. Veranno E Te Sull'Aure

Tracks:

1. Moderato/Lucia Fra Poco A Te Verra
2. Appressati, Lucia
3. Il Pallor Fuesto, Orrendo...A Ragion Mi Fe' Spietato
4. Nobil Sposo...Cessa, Cessa!
5. Soffriva Nel Pianto
6. Che Fia?...Suonar Di Giubilo
7. Se Tradirmi Tu Potrai
8. Per Te D'Immenso Giubilo...Per Poco Fra Le Tenebre
9. Dov'E Lucia?...Qui Giungere Or La Vedrem
10. Ecco Il Tuo Sposo
11. Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento
12. T'Allontana, Sciagurato...Rispettate In Me Di Dio
13. Sconsigliato! In Queste Porte Chi Ti Guida?
14. Esci, Fuggi, Il Furor Chem M'Accende
15. D'Immenso Giubilo
16. Ah!...Deh, Cessate Que! Contento!...Dalle Stanze Ove Lucia
17. Oh! Qual Funesto Avvenimento!
18. Oh Giusto Cielo!...Il Dolce Suono
19. Ohime! Sorge Il Tremendo
20. Ardon Gli Incensi; Splendon Le Sacre Faci
21. Spargi D'Amaro Pianto
22. Maestoso...Tombe Degli Avi Miei
23. Fra Poco A Me Ricovero
24. O, Meschina! O, Fato Orrendo!
25. Dove Corri, Sventurato?
26. Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti I'Ali
27. Che Facesti?

Customer Reviews:

Callas, di Stefano and Gobbi. Lucia di Lammermoor........2007-06-08

Beautiful recording, fabulous voices, Callas was at her very best in this period

An actress, and a woman sings .......2007-01-10

Befoe Maria came onto the scene in 1952, I actually believed that only the "whistling teakettle" type of voice could sing this type of work. When I actually heard a woman's voice, I was transformed from that day.

Best Studio Recording.......2006-11-01

Without a doubt this is the best studio recording of the opera hands down. Callas, Di Stefano and Gobbi are in fine form and Serafin keeps things going at a good pace. The best RECORDING of the opera is of course the 1955 Berlin performance with Karajan conducting. The sound is quite good as Callas bootlegs go and everybody is ON FIRE. One of those magical moments that thankfully somebody taped. If you MUST have your stereo, go with the first Sutherland recording or the Gruberova/Kraus/Rescigno.

Lovely recording.......2005-03-30

I'm a huge bel canto fan and Lucia is one of my top 3 operas. (The others are NORMA and ANNA BOLENA) There is no other Lucia like Callas. Nobody embodies the melancholy, the tragic, fragile beauty and the torment of this doomed heroine more than she. And her coloratura and E-flats glitter and sparkle but never sound senseless or bland. Her partners (di Stefano, Gobbi) are in pristine form and Serafin conducts bel canto with unmatched perfection. This is THE Lucia to buy! A steal, grab it while you can!

Not THAT much shorter, the traditional cuts.......2005-03-17

One can say whatever one likes but IMHO that short review below doesn't do justice to the brilliance of this recording which is not 30 minutes shorter than the Sutherland-recording from 1971. The traditional cuts don't harm the score (The only addition I'd like to see would be the tower-scene), on the contrary, they focus the drama and don't prolong it unnecessarily. The three leads are in brilliant form, the conductor is unmatched. Brava! Brava! Bravissima!

Average customer rating: Six discs, great price, but... a few obvious choices missing. The greatest opera singer of the 20th century. One of the best collection of Callas on CD Unbelievable Deal Deal of the Century!

Maria Callas 100 Best Classics Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cherubini, Luigi | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin 100 Best Opera Classics Puccini: Tosca (1953) with Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi, cond. by de Sabata Maria Callas - Passion / A Film by Gerard Caillat Maria Callas - At Covent Garden 1962 and 1964 ASIN: B000LPR4VW Release Date: 2007-01-16

Tracks:

1. Bellini: La Sonnambula: Come per me sereno
2. Bellini: La Sonnambula: Sovra il sen la man mi posa
3. Bellini: La Sonnambula: D'un pensiero
4. Bellini: La Sonnambula: Ah! non credea mirarti
5. Bellini: Ah! non giunge
6. Bellini: I Puritani: Son vergin vezzosa
7. Bellini: I Puritani: Ah vieni al tempio
8. Bellini: I Puritani: Qui la voce
9. Bellini: I Puritani: Vien, diletto
10. Bellini: I Puritani: Ch'ei provo lontan da me?
11. Bellini: I Puritani: Vieni fra queste braccia
12. Bellini: Norma: Casta Diva
13. Bellini: Norma: Mira, o Norma
14. Bellini: Norma: Cedi, deh credi! Si, fino all'ore
15. Bellini: Norma: Qual cor tradisti
16. Bellini: Norma: Deh! Non volerli vittime
17. Bellini: Il Pirata: Col sorriso d'innocenza
18. Bellini: Quel suono...Oh, Sole!

Tracks:

1. Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor: Regnava nel silenzio... Quando rapito in estasi
2. Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor: Chi mi frena
3. Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor: Spargi d'amaro pianto
4. Rossini: Il Turco in Italia: non si da follia maggiore
5. Rossini: Il Turco in Italia: Serva...Servo
6. Rossini: Il Turco in Italia: No, mia vita
7. Rossini: Il Turco in Italia: Credete alla femmine...In Italia certamente
8. Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia:Una voce poco fa
9. Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Dunque io son
10. Rossini: Semiramide: Bel raggio lusinghier
11. Rossini: Gugliemo Tell: Selva opaca
12. Rossini: La Cenerentola: Non piu mesta
13. Donizetti: L'Elisir d'Amore: Prendi, prendi; per me sei libero
14. Donizetti: La Figlia del Reggimento: Convien partir
15. Donizetti: Anna Bolena: Al dolce guidami castel natio
16. Donizetti: Lucrezia Borgia: Com'e'bello

Tracks:

1. Verdi: I Vespri Siciliani: Merce, dilette amiche
2. Verdi: Rigoletto: Gualtier Malde...Caro nome
3. Verdi: Rigoletto: V'ho ingannato...Lassu in cielo
4. Verdi: La Traviata: Ah, fors'e lui
5. Verdi: Aida: Ritorna vincitor
6. Verdi: Aida: Qui Radames verra...O patria mia
7. Verdi: Aida: O terra addio
8. Verdi: Il Trovatore: Tacea la nolte placido...Di tale amore
9. Verdi: Il Trovatore: D'amor sull'ali rosee
10. Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera: Ecco l'orrido campo...Ma dall'arido stelo
11. Verdi: Non sai tu che se l'anima mia
12. Verdi: I Lombardi: O madre, dal cielo soccorri
13. Verdi: Aroldo: Ciel, ch'io respire!...Salvami, salvami tu, gran Dio!
14. Verdi: Don Carlo: Non pianger, mia compagna
15. Verdi: Otello: Ave Maria

Tracks:

1. Puccini: Manon Lescaut: In quelle trine morbide
2. Puccini: Manon Lescaut: Sola, perduta, abbondonata
3. Puccini: La Boheme: Si, Mi chiamano Mimi
4. Puccini: La Boheme: O soave fanciulla
5. Puccini: La Boheme: Donde lieta usci
6. Puccini: La Boheme: Dunque e' proprio finita?
7. Puccini: Tosca: non la sospiri, la nostra casetta
8. Puccini: Tosca: Vissi d'arte
9. Puccini: Tosca: senti, l'ora e' vicina...Amaro sol per te
10. Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Quanto cielo....Ancora un passo or via
11. Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Vogliatemi bene
12. Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Un bel di vedremo
13. Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Con onor muore
14. Puccini: Suor Angelica: Senza mamma
15. Puccini: Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
16. Puccini: Turandot: Signore, ascolta
17. Puccini: Turandot: In questa reggia
18. Puccini: Tu che di gel sei cinta

Tracks:

1. Gluck: Orphee et Eurydice: J'ai perdu mon Eurydice
2. Gluck: Alceste: Divinites du Styx
3. Bizet: Carmen: L'amour est un aiseau rebelle
4. Bizet: Carmen: Pres des remparts de Seville
5. Bizet: Carmen: les tringles des sistres tintaient
6. Bizet: Carmen: Carreau! Pique!
7. Gounod: Romeo et Juliet: Ah! Je veux vivre dans ce reve
8. Thomas: Mignon: Ah, pour ce soir...Je suis Titania
9. Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust: D'amour l'ardente flamme
10. Massenet: Werther: Werther! Qui m'aurait dit...Des cris joyeux
11. Gounod: Faust: Un bouquet!...Ah! je ris
12. Saint-Saens: Samson et Dalila: Printemps qui commence
13. Saint-Saens: Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix
14. Massenet: Manon: Je ne suis que faiblesse...Adieu, notre petite table
15. Massenet: Manon: Suis-je gentille ainsi?....Je marche sur tous les
16. Charpentier: Louise: Depuis le jour

Tracks:

1. Giordano: Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta
2. Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur: Ecco-respiro appena. lo son l'umile ancells
3. Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur: Poveri fiori
4. Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi lo sapete, o mamma
5. Leoncavallo: Pagliacci: Qual fiamma avea nel guardo...Hui!
6. Boito: Mefistofele: L'altra notte in fondo al mare
7. Catalani: La Wally: Ebben? ne andro lontana
8. Cherubini: Medea: Dei tuoi figli
9. Spontini: La Vestale: O Nume tutelar
10. Spontini: La Vestale: Caro oggetto
11. Gluck: Iphigenie en Tauride: O malheureuse Iphigenie
12. Mozart: Don Giovanni: Or sai chi l'onore
13. Mozart: Don Giovanni: In quali eccessi, o Numi!
14. Massenet: Le Cid: De cet affreux combat...Pleurez, pleurez, mes yeux!
15. Ponchielli: La Gioconda: Suicidio!
16. Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschere: Morro, ma prima in grazia
17. Verdi: Don Carlo: O don fatale

Album Description

Best Callas 100 (part of the Best Classics 100 series) features 6 CDs of the best and most popular operatic arias and duets sung by legendary soprano Maria Callas from her EMI catalog of complete operas and recital albums. Each CD contains approx. 16-17 tracks.

CD 1 The Operas of Bellini
CD 2 The Operas of Donizetti and Rossini
CD 3 The Operas of Verdi
CD 4 The Operas of Puccini
CD 5 French Operatic Heroines
CD 6 Dramatic Heroines

Customer Reviews:

Six discs, great price, but... a few obvious choices missing........2007-07-16

EMI's spate of Callas re-issues and compilations in the past few years is more distressing than commendable. First, what does it say about the state of the classical music market today, when a label's marquee artist is a soprano who passed away thirty years ago, and whose recordings are a half-century old? Second, just how many ways can you re-package Callas?

Those quandaries aside, this is highly recommended to those with a passing interest in either Callas, or opera in general. With six discs tucked inside a standard double jewel case, offered at a bargain price, it's a no-brainer. So what if linear and biographical notes are missing? So much has been written about Callas, it's doubtful that anyone could come up with original essay about her life and artistic legacy.

Again, if you have no Callas or (gasp!) no opera in your CD collection, BUY THIS COMPILATION. However, those of us who already have both will find some glaring omissions.

In my mind, there are two pitfalls where a six-disc Callas retrospective is concerned. First, the need to achieve a balance in Maria's studio output produces something of a constraint. For example, there could have easily been two Verdi discs. As previously noted, Sempre Libera is missing. But there are other examples, such as Ernani, Involami, Tu Che Le Vanita(!), and arias from Nabucco.

Second, creating a balanced list of 100 Maria Callas excerpts inevitably includes some that expose her improper technique. Now, as rival diva Leyla Gencer once stated, Callas had the "sacred fire," which compensated for her imperfect techique (I'm paraphrasing here). That fire roars with life when it comes to dramatic verismo arias, such as La Mamma Morta, Voi Lo Sapete, and Suicidio. It doesn't crackle when it comes a Mozart aria like Or Sai Chi L'Onore, where her utter lack of Mozartean technique is laid bare. Callas just couldn't work her magic over it, like she did with Mi Tradi Quell'alma Ingrata.

These are minor quibbles, though, in the final analysis. You get double the content of the Callas La Divina collector's box set, for less than half the cost!

The greatest opera singer of the 20th century........2007-05-20

Here in one incredibly inexpensive package (I paid $15) are the "juicy bits" of Maria Callas's studio recordings. These six disks which run for 7 and 3/4 hours contain 99 arias, duets and concerted numbers from her studio work plus "Ah, fors'e lui" from the live recording of the Lisbon "Traviata" for the total of "100 Best". (NB: "Sempre libera" is not included.) This is probably EMI's last ditch effort to extract some value out of their Callas catalog as the European copyrights are starting to expire. Well, this is to our advantage. Whether you are a long time Callas fan and completist or a newcomer, this is well worth the money to have all these highlights ready at your finger tips.

The only complaint I have about this set is the complete lack of texts and notes. Usually these days this material is put on the web for bargain releases, but I was unable to locate any for this set. As Callas's art was in the shading of the texts, newcomers especially need to be able to follow along.

Grab this now while it is still available.

One of the best collection of Callas on CD.......2007-05-13

This is realy Maria Callas 100 best classics collection, surprisingly with very good sound ,without any noise or distortion .Six CDs, each of them 70 -79 min very enjoyable..Thank you EMI for this grate production...

Unbelievable Deal.......2007-04-27

I was hestant about purchasing this recording due to the low price. But this is really a great buy: A six disc compillation of Maria Callas' highlights grouped by genre/composer. If you are new to opera, this is an excellent introduction to what made Callas so unique as an artist: her passion, her ability to change her timbre, the weight of her voice, her vocal colors, to suit each role. Each disc feautres a different composer or repetoire so the listener gets to hear Callas in a differnt context. Since there are about a million "best of" complillations for Callas it's a bit overwhelming and difficult to know where to start. This is definately the most complete, and the best value for your money.

Deal of the Century!.......2007-04-19

A six CD set at this price is unbelievable! If you are a beginner, start here and if you are a long time fan and have every recording under the sun like I do, it's still nice to have the CD's grouped by composer. Highly recommended!

Track Listings:

1. Classic & Pop Crossover
2. Copland: Piano Concerto; Appalachian Spring; Symphonic Ode
3. Copland, Rachmaninov and Ives
4. Debussy Complete Works For Orchestra, Vol.2
5. Encore! More Music for Flute, Oboe and Guitar
6. Ethel Smith: String Quartet; String Quintet
7. Fauré: Chamber Music, Vol.1
8. Four! [Import]
9. Furtwängler: Early Orchestral Works
10. Giovanni Gabriele For Brass/Canadian Brass And Friends

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

I Can't Live Without You [CD-single]

Parry: Songs of Farewell

On Holiday

Music: He Keeps on Blessing Me

Painted Heroes [Import]

Shine [Import]

Rarities & Remixes

Mountain Rhyme

Rocks [Import]

Originales: 20 Exitos [Original recording remastered]

Row

Script for a Jester's Tear [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Patchwerk

Songs By Charles Gounod

Trench Town Mix Up