Maria Callas. Which recordings?

The obvious first one to get is her 1953 mono recording of 'Tosca' with Victor de Sabata conducting at La Scala, with Tito Gobbi and di Stefano. Available as a luxuriosly packaged GROC on EMI or as one of EMI's budget 'Historical' series, but with minimal notes and no libretto.

Please don't encourage the Naxos pirates by buying theirs, copied from LPs, now that the 50 year copyright period is over.

Arguably the best opera recording of all time!

Graham

I totally agree Graham, that version of Tosca is brilliant. Even the Mono sound is good, and it has been re-mastered superbly.

Cheers

Mark.

Next, I'd go for her Madama Butterfly with Nicolai Gedda and the La Scala orchestra conduced by Herbert von Karajan. Another early 50's mono recording, but Karajan was then at his absolute peak.

Graham

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
The obvious first one to get is her 1953 mono recording of 'Tosca' with Victor de Sabata conducting at La Scala, with Tito Gobbi and di Stefano. ...

My late uncle, bless him, when he died did not have a lot to leave, but what he did he left to me - his record collection. Including this very recording. (He bought it at the time it was released as a 21st birthday present to himself.) It has to be said that it is not in pristine condition, but - not unreasonably I think - I do consider it to be one of my most treasured possessions.

Find one if you can, and just enjoy it!

Good listening,
James

My vote goes to her Barber of Seville conducted by Galliera recorded by EMI/Columbia. The original vinyl issue of this is wonderful but I also have this on a fairly early Angel CD and imagine it must have been remastered and reissued by now...

Thank you all, I will get myself off to amazon and knowing the little I have heard of Callas will be shortly after filling an entry on the thread 'the last record that made you cry'.

Thanks again and lovely story about your Uncle JWM

Diccus

Richard

I couldn't agree more: 'Il Barbiere' is one one of Callas' greatest recordings. She didn't often play light/comic roles, but you'd never know it from listening to this.

Graham

As I mentioned elsewhere, I have two discs of Callas singing various arias that I don't really want. If anyone would like them (so long as they're in the UK), I'm happy to stick them in the post as a gift.

regards, Tam

quote:

Originally posted by Tam:
As I mentioned elsewhere, I have two discs of Callas singing various arias that I don't really want. If anyone would like them (so long as they're in the UK), I'm happy to stick them in the post as a gift.

regards, Tam

Tam

More than happy to accept them sir and would pay postage or whatever. If you email me i'll send details of address. peartturner@gmail.com

Thanks

Diccus

I shall return to your recommendations on this thread as I too as well as enjoying noise-fun do love music.

quote:

Originally posted by Diccus62:
More than happy to accept them sir and would pay postage or whatever. If you email me i'll send details of address.

you have mail.

regards, Tam