Search - Claudia Muzio :: Complete Columbia Recordings (1934-1935)

'A Claudia Muzio, l'unica'

Sheng-chi Shu | Singapore | 04/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Claudia Muzio's columbia recordings have always been the most accessible and renowned of her recorded output. These recordings establish her greatness and immortality in posterity. In the pantheon of great singers, she stands with Caruso, Callas and Chaliapin at the apex. Listening to each item, one is forever astonished and enthralled by such smouldering passion, intense pathos, instinctive sincerity and psychological insight. It is true that by 1934-35, Muzio's voice has lost the pristine freshness and fluency of her younger days (if you want to experience the younger Muzio, you would be eager to turn to her Pathe and Edison recordings, lovingly reproduced and cleaned by Ward Marston), yet her art was at its very peak. As for the reproduction, Ward Marston has worked wonders -- the voice emerges with such an arresting immmediacy as if the great singer is directly communicating with us, pouring out her heart and soul. All said, this is a MUST for all lovers of opera .....buy it and experience what great singing-acting is really about."