Thalasa Sti Skala [Import]

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Thalasa Sti Skala,Papakonstadinou Vasilis,EMI,World Music

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 Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... The Most Famous Opera Duets 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: 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: 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 Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan 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: 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 Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan 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 Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus 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 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: A good gift for novice

Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set] Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chabrier | Chabrier, Alexis Emanuel | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, 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Album Description

Music can be both calming and relaxing, or invigorating and passionate...this phenomenal 20-CD set is definitely the latter. This amazing collection brings together for the first time the most passionate music of all time, from Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Wagner's Magic Fire Music to Ravel's La Valse, Orff 's Carmina Burana and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This is a must have collection for every passionate music lover.

Customer Reviews:

A good gift for novice.......2007-05-12

This was a good gift for somebody learning about Classical music in Japan.

Average customer rating: all-star cast 2 Callas Normas. Which to get. Greater Depth or Neccessary Caution? CALLAS' ASTONISHING NORMA CALLAS MESMERIZING AS NORMA

Bellini - Norma / Maria Callas, Ludwig, Corelli, Zaccaria, Teatro alla Scala, Serafin Vincenzo Bellini , Tullio Serafin , Maria Callas , Christa Ludwig , Franco Corelli , Nicola Zaccaria , and Piero de Palma Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | 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 Ludwig, Christa | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | 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 Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Ludwig, Christa | ( L ) | Performers, 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: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus 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 Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin Verdi: Rigoletto (Complete Opera); Maria Callas; Tito Gobbi; Giuseppe di Stefano Bellini: I Puritani / Callas, di Stefano, Rossi-Lemeni, Panerai; Serafin ASIN: B00000630R Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

1. Norma: Sinfonia
2. Norma: Act One - Scene One : Ite sul colle...Dell'aura tua profetica (Oroveso)
3. Norma: Svanir le voci! (Pollione)
4. Norma: Meco all'altar di Venere (Pollione)
5. Norma: Odi?.. I suoi riti a compiere (Flavio, Coro, Pollione)
6. Norma: Me protegge, me difende (Pollione)
7. Norma: Norma viene
8. Norma: Sediziose voci
9. Norma: Casta Diva
10. Norma: Fine al rito, e il sacro bosco
11. Norma: Ah! bello a me ritorna (Norma, Oroveso)
12. Norma: Sgombra e la sacra selva (Adalgisa)
13. Norma: Eccola - va, mi lascia
14. Norma: Va, crudele
15. Norma: Vieni in Roma (Pollione, Adalgisa)

Tracks:

1. Norma: Act One - Scene Two : Vanne, e li cela entrambi (Norma)
2. Norma: Adalgisa!.. Alma, costanza
3. Norma: Oh, rimembranza!
4. Norma: Ah si, fa core, abbracciami (Norma, Adalgisa)
5. Norma: Ma di'... l'amato giovine
6. Norma: Oh, di qual sei tu vittima
7. Norma: Perfido! ... Or basti! (Norma, Adalgisa, Pollione)
8. Norma: Vanne, si, mi lascia, indegno (Norma, Pollione, Adalgisa, Coro)

Tracks:

1. Norma: Act Two - Scene One : Introduzione
2. Norma: Dormono entrambi! (Norma)
3. Norma: Ola! Clotilde (Norma, Clotilde)
4. Norma: Mi chiami, o Norma?
5. Norma: Deh, con te, con te li prendi
6. Norma: Mira, o Norma
7. Norma: Cedi ... deh cedi!
8. Norma: Si, fino all'ore estreme (Adalgisa, Norma)
9. Norma: Acto Two - Scene Two : Non parti? (Coro)
10. Norma: Guerrieri! a voi venirne
11. Norma: Ah!, del Tebro al giogo indegno (Oroveso)
12. Norma: Acto Two - Scene Three : Ei tornera, Si! (Norma)
13. Norma: Squilla il bronzo del Dio! (Oroveso, Norma)
14. Norma: Guerra! guerra!
15. Norma: Ne compi li rito, o Norma? (Oroveso, Norma, Pollione)
16. Norma: In mia man alfin ti sei
17. Norma: Gia mi pasco ne' tuoi sguardi (Norma, Pollione)
18. Norma: Dammi quel ferro!
19. Norma: Qual cor tradisti
20. Norma: Norma! deh! Norrma, scolpati!
21. Norma: Deh! Non volerli vittime (Norma, Pollione, Oroveso)

Customer Reviews:

all-star cast.......2007-06-13

This recording is exactly what you would expect from an all-star cast.

Owners of the Schirmer piano score, watch out for cuts from page 44 to 48, 76 to 80, and 106 to 107. The endings of bth acts are also different.

2 Callas Normas. Which to get........2006-11-12

If you are trying to decide between the two studio recordings of Norma with Callas, I offer some advice. Get them both. The later recording is quite beautiful and better recorded. The earlier has a fresher sounding Callas but she does have more dramatic insight in that later recording. Ludwig is a nice treat in a bel-canto role. Overall, I highly recommend!

Greater Depth or Neccessary Caution?.......2006-10-13

This is a strange recording for me. It features three all time favorite singers of mine, Callas, Ludwig and Corelli, and yet I had very mixed feelings about it. Some have called Callas's performance here more refined than the earlier recording and the famous live performances. I would characterize her performance as slightly cautious. Her Norma is older, wiser and a bit on the weathered side. I wonder how much of the refinement was her own sense of having to compensate for her voice which was in the final stages of decline. I expected a certain degree of the recklessness that she displayed in her second Tosca recording that was made a few years later. Here she seems to be carefully phrasing at times as to not hurt something. But, despite the vocal decline, not just the high notes but the tone, her mastery of the style and ease with which she handles the coloratura passages, is still a miraculous listening experience.

I'm glad I have the recording and the current edition is warmer than the original CD release. This was the only opportunity for Callas, Corelli and Ludwig to make a commercial recording together, and Corelli and Ludwig are wonderful, although too bad EMI was unable to get Simionatto. But if you're familiar with the earlier recording (which by the way is only available at the moment in an awful GROTC edition) and the live performances, you might miss the broad strokes, I do, but it is still a worthy listening experience. When is Callas not? Never as far as I'm concerned.

I would have loved to have rated this 5 stars, but 4 seems more appropriate. It's a fine but not a great recording.

CALLAS' ASTONISHING NORMA.......2006-08-15

Well, I think there are two roles in the history of opera that after the interpretation of Maria Callas it would not be unwise to claim that they should not be performed again: Norma by Bellini (all recordings she ever made) and la Traviata by Verdi (the definition of the role lies in the London 1958 Traviata- unfortunately, her 1953 studio recording with Cetra is almost unacceptable considering how she developed the role of Violetta after 1955).
Although I very rarely sit down to write a review at Amazon, after having read so much on Mme Callas, I feel it is my responsibility as a fan of this great art named opera to make the following points:
a)Maria Callas was not an interpreter. She was a creator herself to be placed at the same rank as Donizzeti, Bellini and Verdi. Had it not been for her I doubt that opera would exist today and if it did it would be a sad, boring musuem exhibit. She recreated the whole of Italian Opera -not just bel canto- and modernised it in a way that will make it last for another 100 years aftet her death. I remind you that opera in the 50's meant German Opera. Italian opera before Mme Callas was something of a joke. Terribly abused by singers and a bad tradition of horrendus vocalising, the music of Italian composers had lost its drama, its sense, its meaning.
b)why do people spend so much time judging the voice of this great artist? Why can they not just relax and enjoy this great artistry? No-one says that there no other great singers! But no matter how great, they are unfortunately just that:"singers". Caballe, Sutherland, Sills, Price, Fleming, Dessay all have amazing voices and great carreers. But, comparing them with a phenomenon that was for the opera what Mozart was for classical music simply does not do them justice.
c)Whether we like it or not Norma is a dramatic soprano role! A very difficult one as well and it should be treated with some respect. Caballe and Sutherland, because they had these amazing voices, did manage to sing it and they sang it well. But, as they were not dramatic sopranos they conveyed a lyricism in their interpretation that simply does not suit the role and Bellini's intentions. Other attempts however (Sills and -alas- Gruberova recently)should really remain as textbook examples of how inflated egos can ridicule both theselves and a work of art. I repeat that Norma is a dramatic soprano role. In this sense the only singers that approached the Callas perfection are Elena Suliotis (Decca for reason of expediency or stupidity is not reissuing her marvellous 1968 recording with Del Monaco) and Jane Eaglen in the Sony Muti recording. The only singer that seems to have been taught by the Callas Legacy in Bel Canto is Mme Renata Scotto but she was as well inadequate as Norma and wasted much of her talent singing (for commercial reasons, I suppose) Puccini.
d)Callas has been very unlucky as far as supporting cast is concerned. The 1960 Norma recording is the only exception. It features the amazing Franco Corelli. What a voice this man had! Pefect voice, perfect dramatic conviction, beautiful and clear italian diction. Can we imagine a Callas -Corelli partnership in Aida, Pirata, Manon Lescaut?
e)Callas did not lose her voice even though she overworked it in the 50s. The 1964 Tosca recording is the best proof of that. But she did lose her confidence and emotional stability. This fact led her quit her carreer in 1965 and that is the real tragedy of opera. Had she managed to work as hard in the 60-68 period when all her worry was Ar. Onassis we would have been left with at least 10 amazing stereo recordings. And I say 68 because someone like Callas simply would refuse to play young soprano roles after the age of 45. She believed that opera singers are like ballet dansers or athletes (and they are!), they should retire early. Mme Sutherland had a voice till the age of 60. And so? Is it not ridiculous singing La Sonnambula at the age of 59? If Callas did that she would not be the legend she is!

This is all I wanted to note on a woman that achieved a fame in the world of opera (and beyond!!!) in a way that noone else had before and I am afraid no one else will do so in the future. People had to sleep on pavements for three days and three nights to get a ticket for this lady!

CALLAS MESMERIZING AS NORMA.......2006-07-14

Reading through the online reviews, it is obvious that Maria created great controversy because her approach to classical singing and acting was so very different. She was everything, extraordinary singer with a rare vocal technique of endless colors and shades, from the video footage we have now we can see that she was truly the charismatic actress described in previous years, and above all . . . she was one of the great musicians of the last century.

No singer classical or popular has been without vocal problems, and it is important to remember that Maria began her stage career at the age of 17 with the Athens Opera as a professional opera singer. Her last stage performances were in 1965 in Tosca and Norma . . . a stage and recording career of almost 25 years! No small achievement, and she performed her great roles, Violetta, Lucia, Medea, and of course Norma . . . all over the world "live" for over a decade, Norma for almost 15 years.

It would be difficult to say of such an artist that "one" role was her best, since her vast repertory ranged from Wagner and Beethoven to Bellini, Puccini, Bizet and so many other composers.

She single handedly with the help of her great vocal and musical mentor Tullio Serafin, resurrected the great belcanto works of Donizetti and Bellini and transformed them in integrated vocal and dramatic experiences . . . fortunately for us, there are quite a few studio and live recordings available of this repertoire which she loved so much.

Personally, I never found Bellini's Norma to be a very interesting opera until I heard the 1960 recording with Maria. All previous recordings were lovely, with various singers singing 'Casta Diva' beautifully, but disengaged from the dramatic impact of the words and this complex woman, this figure out of a Greek tragedy!

Maria's 1960 performance I feel remains a rare experience, in which all the artists seem riveted by the dramatic power of her by then mesmerizing interpretation of Norma. Every subtlety of this conflicted woman's story is expresssed, even down to just single words.

Like many of her recordings and her career in general, I feel this recording is for the ages . . . unforgettable and deeply, deeply moving.

Average customer rating: King of overtures on display Dynamic Rossini High Excitement Amuse-Bocuse for the Ears! All the Rossini I need!

Rossini: Overtures (14) Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | 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 The Decca Records Store | Specialty 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 Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Famous Overtures William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures Suppe: Overtures Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures Strauss: The Best of Vienna ASIN: B00000425N Release Date: 1995-06-13

Tracks:

1. Overtures: Guillaume Tell - G. Rossini
2. Overtures: Il signor Bruschino - G. Rossini
3. Overtures: Il viaggio a Reims - G. Rossini
4. Overtures: La scala di seta - G. Rossini
5. Overtures: La gazza ladra - G. Rossini
6. Overtures: Il turco in Italia - G. Rossini
7. Overtures: L'Italiana in Algeri - G. Rossini

Tracks:

1. Overtures: Il barbiere di Siviglia - Gioacchino Rossini
2. Overtures: Torvaldo e Dorliska - Gioacchino Rossini
3. Overtures: La cambiale di matrimonio - Gioacchino Rossini
4. Overtures: Otello - Gioacchino Rossini
5. Overtures: Semiramide - Gioacchino Rossini
6. Overtures: La Siege de Corinthe - Gioacchino Rossini
7. Overtures: Tancredi - Gioacchino Rossini

Amazon.com essential recording

Rossini's Overtures are absolute jewels of the Classical period. He used them as his musical "calling cards," and with the exception of William Tell, there's absolutely no relationship between the overture and opera it introduces. The famous Barber of Seville overture, for example, was used previously for two tragic operas, including one called Elizabeth, Queen of England! All they were supposed to do was entertain the audience and let them know that the real business was about to begin. And that's just what they've been doing ever since. This comprehensive collection, at two discs for the price of one, will keep you in Rossini for a good, long time. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

King of overtures on display.......2007-03-07

This 2-disc set contains 14 overtures by the master of this musical form himself, G. Rossini. The music quality is good - standard for digital, the orchestration is clear, and each CD provides about 1 hour of good, lively music. The choice of music is also great, making this set a great buy.

Dynamic Rossini.......2005-04-26

For Rossini lovers, this album gives you a sample of Rossini at his best. The dynamic range of the composer, his verve and vitality delivered in the most popular overtures ever written.
The quality of the recordings is very good, and should satify any and all Rossini fans. I love to kick back, with a set of ear phones and absorb the incredible sound and muscularity of Rossini. Well worth the price of admission.

High Excitement.......2005-03-02

I originally bought the LP versions way back before CDs were introduced. High excitement is the best way I can describe the performances. I have heard nothing since to equal Chailly's energetic read. I haven't gotten this CD version yet, but the first volume one did have better quality miking then the second volume. The price makes it worth just buying the CD instead of trying to digitize my LPs.

Amuse-Bocuse for the Ears!.......2004-09-10

Just as amuse-boche is meant to entertain and tempt the tastebuds for the coming courses in a gourmet meal, so does the overture function in the operatic banquet.

Rossini is one of the greatest overture composers, and here is collection of fourteen of his best!

They are soaring and delightful. Especially captivated by some that were new to me, causing one to want to followup with the opera-- a brilliant way to cause interest in operatic world. These included the likes of Otell, Semiramide and Le Siege de Corinthe.

Amazing and vibrant double CD collection!

All the Rossini I need!.......2003-06-30

As far as I'm concerned, I don't need to search the field for any other Rossini overture CDs--this 2-CD set has it covered. Chailly's interpretations of these pieces are wonderfully exuberant, and the National Philharmonic plays with precision and flair. These CDs have become the standard I use to judge other recordings of Rossini overtures. Granted, they're not perfect: As another reviewer pointed out, Chailly takes some passages differently than we're used to hearing them (the end of the Barber of Seville overture is faster than usual, for example). However, the orchestra is so competent and the conductor so assured that these small, occasional differences are refreshing rather than annoying. As well, there are (very) occasional moments where the orchestra slips a little out of synch, but only because they're having so much fun playing the music. This is Rossini the way it was meant to sound--playful, melodious and energetic to the end.

Average customer rating: Landmark Soprano. An essential work for opera listeners. Terrific introduction to the art of Callas Callas was the greatest Great starter CD The epitome of divinity

Maria Callas - La Divina Giacomo Puccini , Vincenzo Bellini , Georges Bizet , Gioachino Rossini , Alfredo Catalani , Camille Saint-Saëns , Giuseppe Verdi , Charles Gounod , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Pietro Mascagni , Amilcare Ponchielli , Tullio Serafin , Georges Prêtre , Nicola Rescigno , Franco Ghione , Antonino Votto , Maria Callas , Alfredo Kraus , Ebe Ticozzi , Giuseppe di Stefano , London Philharmonia Orchestra , Orchestra e Coro del Teatro alla Scala , Orchestre National de la R.D.F. , Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra , and Lisbon Orquesta Sinfonica del Teatro Nacional de San Carlos Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | 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 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 All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | 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 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 Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: La Divina 2 Maria Callas: La Divina 3 The Very Best Of Maria Callas Maria Callas, the Voice of the Century Maria Callas: The Legend ASIN: B000002RT6 Release Date: 1993-09-14

Tracks:

1. Madama Butterfly: Un bel di, vedremo (Atto ll)
2. Carmen: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera) (Acte l)
3. La Wally: Ebben? ne andro lontana (Atto l)
4. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Una voce poco fa (Atto l)
5. Norma: Casta Diva (Atto l)
6. Samson et Dalila: Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix (Acte ll)
7. Rigoletto: Caro nome (Atto l)
8. La Traviata: Sempre libera (Atto l)
9. Romeo et Juliette: Je veux vivre dans ce reve (Acte l)
10. La Boheme: Si, mi chiamano Mimi (Atto l)
11. Don Giovanni: Mi tradi quell'alma ingrata (Atto ll)
12. Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi lo sapete, o mamma
13. La Gioconda: Suicidio! (Atto lV)
14. Gianni Schicchi1: O mio babbino caro
15. Turandot: In questa reggia (Atto ll)
16. TOSCA: Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore (Atto ll)

Amazon.com

If you want to know the reason behind all the fuss about Maria Callas, buy this CD. Callas's great gift was not purity of tone or emission, reliability, or sheer loveliness; it was, rather, her ability to change her vocal color and style to suit not only particular periods of opera but to get under the skin of the individual characters she portrayed. Here you will hear the 18-year-old Butterfly imagining the return of her beloved; the sultry, adult Carmen seducing all around her; the youthful Wally telling her cruel father that she will go off into the cold wilderness rather than give up her boyfriend; the sly Rosina planning to outfox her guardian; the priestess Norma performing a sacred rite; Dalila wrapping Samson around her little finger and more; Gioconda contemplating suicide when all hope is gone; Gilda recalling the name of the boy she's just fallen for; and the icy princess Turandot reliving the rape of her ancestor and swearing that no man will possess her. And you'll believe them all. At times Callas's vocalism is a bit wiry (Juliette sounds stressed, for instance); but, in all, this is like a visit with 16 women, all of them interesting, and all of them great singers! --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Landmark Soprano. An essential work for opera listeners........2007-05-26

Maria Callas may be the only female 'superstar' working in my lifetime. In the 1950s and early 1960's, she had all the star power and paparrazi draw of Jackie and Marilyn, far outstripping the fame to the world at large of her primary rival, Renita Tibaldi. I am not an expert, or even an experienced amateur at evaluating operatic sopranos; however I've listened to several of the modern crop, and while the newbies probably do a better job of keeping on key, none of them can match the drama emoted by Ms. Callas on any given aria. All three releases are especially good buys, as they all run to over 72 minutes; however the recording quality does show its early (pre-multitrack, pre-digital) recording technology. Each is as good as the next regarding content, but 2 and 3 are a bit better in sound quality.

Terrific introduction to the art of Callas.......2007-04-24

This album is entitled "Divina," not to be confused with "Divina 2," itself a very nice example of Callas at her best. This CD samples a variety of her roles, indicating the range of her art. A few examples. . . .

"Un bel di" from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" is very well done. She displays a rich voice and a passionate rendering of this aria. At greater volume, her voice remains under control and attractive sounding (something that does not always occur as her career developed further).

The "Habanera" from Bizet's "Carmen" is normally a mezzo soprano work. However, Callas features a good lower tone, and it works pretty well here. She shows nice breath control, too. The orchestral backing is exceptional.

"Sempre libera," from Verdi's "La Traviata," is a soprano's dream. Here, though, Callas' voice is not as attractive as in other cuts. There is some harshness with higher notes. Alfredo Kraus' singing, by the way, is most attractive. There is some unpleasantness with Callas technique in this work, although there is a nice characterization as well (this is the price you pay for Callas). She shows off some nice runs, but zero in the way of trills (some other sopranos display nice trills in this piece).

Finally, a very well done version of "Si, mi chiamano Mimi" from Puccini's "La Boheme." Sweet sounds at the outset. She seems to capture the character well. Smooth singing, done well.

Thus, a good introduction to the art of Maria Callas. There are cuts here that feature some of the wondrous nature of her work. There are other cuts where one hears some unattractive aspects of her singing and one wonders about her technique. But, in the end, this is a good representation of the work of Callas.

Callas was the greatest.......2007-02-06

It's amazing how the anti-Callas claquers continue to thrive. I'll side with Leonard Bernstein, who labeled Callas "The Bible of Opera," and who described her 1952 performance of La Sonnambula under his baton as "pure electricity." Unfortunately, recordings don't do justice to any artist, given the lack of spontaneity and a full audience, as well as a host of other reasons. Even Callas withheld many recordings from release because she was her own worst critic and they did not meet her high standards. I've been listening to opera for over 30 years and although I can appreciate the artistry of Tebaldi, Sutherland, Sills, Freni, Carteri, Moffo, Price, etc., some of whom had better pure voices, there was none that could match Maria's intensity, passion, range, personality, acting ability and pure emotion. Callas could sing bel canto colaratura but drop down to a near-mezzo voice that included many dramatic roles.

The Callas bashers will always be with us, but thankfully they will always be in the tiny minority. True connossiers of opera know there never has been and never will be as great a singer as La Divina.

Great starter CD.......2005-11-24

As simplistic as this sounds, this is a perfect CD if you know you like opera, but don't know exactly what you want to hear. You'll definitely recognize some of the more popular arias, and will grow to love the others.

The epitome of divinity.......2005-03-31

Divine and then some.
A unique mezzo voice delivering a 'one-two-three punch': one in the gut, one in the heart and one in the head.
The listener instinctually senses all she imparts-regardless of French,Italian,German literacy or opera knowledge.
Her gifts were many-the 'voice'(simultaneously:sharp,buttery,bright and dark),inimitable phrasing,timing,dramatic intensity and versatility.
A fine jumping off point for Callas neophytes and Opera 'sissies' who say they don't like Opera, but never really listened to any.
For all of us already converted, I say turn it up!

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3. Uma Noite So [Import]
4. Variacoes Inacabadas
5. Vassissou Pano Sou [Import]
6. Viva Italia [Box set] [Import]
7. Walter Winchell Rumba
8. World Star of World Music
9. Y2K [Import]
10. 14 Instrumental Syrtaki

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International Music