Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5009 in Music
• Released on: 1997-11-17
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 149 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Twenty years after Maria Callas' death in 1977, EMI honoured one of its most faithful recording stars by re-releasing her entire output. Voice of the Century figureheads the anniversary edition, and if ever there was a highlights album to be bought, this must be it. The first disc concentrates on Italian opera, and already on the opening track Callas' direct, unaffected Norma demonstrates why she was the best-loved soprano of her generation. Her ability to let the character choices transform her voice led misguided critics to object to "thin(ness) in the high register", "vulnerable tone", "unstable vibrato" and so on. But Callas' unparalleled ability to renew and personalise well-known arias such and the depth and truthfulness of her coloratura register, placed her beyond criticism. Admittedly Callas at times forcibly subdued co-singers and conductors, but this was certainly not the case when she communed with the La Scala orchestra and Tullio Serafin, with whom the Greek "maestra" shared a love and affinity for the leisurely paced Italian bel canto tradition. Callas' takes on the French repertoire (disc two) leaves her more open to stylistic scrutiny--the 1961 Gluck recordings "Che faro" and "Alceste" fall victims to heavy handed romanticism. Callas and conductor Georges Pretre do more justice to the Gounoud and Saint-Saëns, and as Carmen Callas adds a whole new octave to her sizzling lower register. The set as a whole is a real treat, and positively addictive! --Yngvil V.G.

Customer Reviews

A Singer unlike any other
I was most impressed by the two CD compilation.
As you may know, Maria Callas was one of the very few 'Bel Canto' Operatic singers. Her unique style comes across most clearly on this CD set. My favourite piece being the Bell Song by Lakmé, (Dové l'Indiana Bruna).

The two CD's cover her best works, from her songs in the mid 1950's right through until some of her last performances when her voice was not as techincal and strong. It does, however, display her ability to sing a wide variety of styles and of course, her vocal-range was astounding.

I cannot praise this CD set enough. You will have to buy it for yourself to understand how great she really was.

Very good overview of an absolute world-class artist
The 2-CD box is a comprehensive overview of the life's work of Maria Callas. EMI has brought together pieces from the most famous and best opera's she has sung in.

From "Casta Diva" from Norma, to the Verdi's lovely "Caro Nome", this first CD is the best of the two. On the other hand, the second CD has several pieces on it which are not very well known and therefore less loved. Unrightly so, eventhough the composition of the first CD feels more special.

An absolute cracker, and must-have for opera and Callas fans!