Search - Vincenzo Bellini, Luigi Cherubini, Gaspare Spontini :: Callas at La Scala

What a voice!!!

José Manuel Vizcaya | México, D.F. Mexico | 05/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a Callas fan. I thought very much to buy this CD, but finally adquired and it didn't disappointed me. It contains arias from forgotten operas that Callas gave life again, for example, Spontini's "Medea" and Cherubini's "La Vestale". Also, it has two very fine pieces from Bellini's "La Sonambula". Her "Compagne, teneri amici...Come per me sereno" sounds like an angel: what coloratura voice and what high note at the final of this piece!!! What bel canto recital!!! Callas's voice sounds very great in this 1955 recording. I would like that the sound was stereo, but in this year, only the monofonic sound was available. But the quality of the sound is very acceptable. This is one of my favorite Callas recital!!!"

AN ESSENTIAL CALLAS RECORDING

lesismore26 | Chicago, Illinois USA | 07/04/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some of Callas' greatest singing can be heard on this recording, though with regard to the "Sonnambula" and "Medea" scenes, good as they are, Callas actually improved upon them in subsequent live performances of the complete operas (all of which can be heard on CD). The "Sonnambula" scenes are very beautifully sung, but for some reason Callas here eschews all but the most minimal coloratura embellishments. As a result, the music has more of a dreamy quality to it than the more exciting aura which can be felt in her live performances of "Sonnambula" from La Scala and Cologne. The "Medea" scene is also well done as far as it goes, but again, later performances of "Medea" surpass the version heard here. The "Vestale" arias stand as Callas' only substantial statement of the role of Giulia, since she never recorded a complete "Vestale" (and the live performance from La Scala has terrible sound). She performs all three arias with great mastery, especially the long "Tu che invoco", which she brings to a searing and fiery conclusion. These "Vestale" arias are for me the highlight of the entire recording. The digitally remastered sound is excellent, and Serafin does an expert job with the La Scala orchestra. This is not one of the supreme Callas recordings (except for the "Vestale" excerpts), but only because she made such vast improvements over the already formidable performances she gives here. Certainly well worth your attention."

Highly recommended

Niya | USA | 08/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This can be one of the top recommendations for those interested in buying an aria album of Callas. The new EMI Callas Edition did a great job of making each CD of this series a historically "correct" and logical compilation according to the original recording sessions. That also makes the length of each CD somewhat shorter, but the reduced price and improved presentation compensate for it. These tracks were recorded in 1955, when Callas's voice had started thinning considerably but still in acceptable and even beautiful sound. The drama in the "Vestale" selections is truly satisfying, and the "Sonnambula" arias are sung with the kind of concentration and emotional depth that can only be heard in Callas. The warmth of much of the singing in this CD is really a great enjoyment."