Description
Maria Callas Portrays Verdi Heroines / Lady Macbeth, Abigaille, Elvira, Elisabetta di Valois / Verdi Arias I / Maria Callas soprano, Philharmonia Orchestra / Conducted by Nicola Rescigno / Audio CD 2012 / Warner Classics
UPC 825646340156
MADE IN EU
Maria Callas, Commendatore OMRI (/ˈkæləs/; Greek: Μαρία Κάλλας; December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was an American-born Greek soprano. She was one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century. Many critics praised her bel canto technique, wide-ranging voice and dramatic interpretations. Her repertoire ranged from classical opera seria to the bel canto operas of Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini and further, to the works of Verdi and Puccini; and, in her early career, to the music dramas of Wagner. Her musical and dramatic talents led to her being hailed as La Divina.
Born in New York City to Greek immigrant parents, she was raised by an overbearing mother who had wanted a son. Maria received her musical education in Greece at age 13 and later established her career in Italy. Forced to deal with the exigencies of 1940s wartime poverty and with near-sightedness that left her nearly blind onstage, she endured struggles and scandal over the course of her career. She turned herself from a heavy woman into a svelte and glamorous one after a mid-career weight loss, which might have contributed to her vocal decline and the premature end of her career.
The press exulted in publicizing Callas's temperamental behavior, her supposed rivalry with Renata Tebaldi and her love affair with Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis. Although her dramatic life and personal tragedy have often overshadowed Callas the artist in the popular press, her artistic achievements were such that Leonard Bernstein called her "the Bible of opera" and her influence so enduring that, in 2006, Opera News wrote of her: "Nearly thirty years after her death, she's still the definition of the diva as artist—and still one of classical music's best-selling vocalists."Tracklist:
Macbeth | ||
1 | Nel Di Della Vittoria...Vieni! T'affretta! (Act I) | 7:50 |
2 | La Luce Langue (Act II) | 4:11 |
3 | Una Macchia È Qui Tuttora (Act IV) | 11:17 |
Nabucco | ||
4 | Ben Io T'invenni...Anch'io Dischiuso Un Giorno (Act II) | 9:09 |
Ernani | ||
5 | Sorta È La Notte...Ernani! Ernani, Involami (Act I) | 6:16 |
Don Carlo | ||
6 | Tu Che Le Vanità (Atto IV) | 10:46 |
- Phonographic Copyright (p) – Warner Classics
- Phonographic Copyright (p) – Warner Music UK Ltd.
- Copyright (c) – Warner Classics
- Copyright (c) – Warner Music UK Ltd.
- Record Company – Warner Music Group
- Recorded At – No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
- Remastered At – Abbey Road Studios
- Manufactured By – Optimal Media GmbH – AE53408
- Composed By – Giuseppe Verdi
- Conductor – Nicola Rescigno
- Engineer [Balance Engineer] – Harold Davidson
- Liner Notes – Michel Roubinet
- Liner Notes [Translation] – Claudio Maria Perselli, Leandra Rhoese, Susannah Howe
- Orchestra – Philharmonia Orchestra
- Photography By [Booklet: p. 7] – Erio Piccagliani
- Photography By [Front Cover Photo] [Uncredited] – Houston Rogers
- Producer – Walter Legge
Recorded: 19-21 & 24.IX.1958, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Newly 24-bit 96kHz remastered from the original tapes at Abbey Road Studios.
Digital remastering (P) 2014 Warner Classics, Warner Music UK Ltd.
(C) 2014 Warner Classics, Warner Music UK Ltd.
Manufactured and printed in the EU.
Original-front-cover-artwork card sleeve contains the CD in individual paper wallet and an 8-page booklet with info and liner notes in English, German, French, Italian. Libretto's are not included.
Editor's note:
Released on 22 September 2014 as a stand-alone release & as part of the 70-CD box Maria Callas - Remastered - The Complete Studio Recordings (1949-1969). Both releases are identical (same package, including cat#, barcode, etc.).