Callas Live Recordings - Live in Concert - CD 11 of 11

This CD contains the very best moments of the Greek Diva!!!! It begins with the aria "Un bel dí", from Madama Butterfly, sung in 1935 under the name of "Nina Foresti". Although Callas always denied have sung under this pseudonym, and despite the voice in the aria is very different from the voice we know of Callas (she was only 12 at this moment), the voice we hear at the beginning of the interview is infallible.

The CD continues with extracts of the RAI Recitals she gave for the Italian Radio. The first was is in Turin (1951), whose "Aria and Variations for flute, soprano and orchestra, Deh! Torna mio Bene" by Proch, is the most vivid example of her virtuosity, despite the sound. The next recital was in Rome (1952), where she sang without equal the "Bell song" from Lakmé, the "Mad Scene" from Lucia (both ending with a high E), the aria from Nabucco and her incomparable Lady Macbeth!!! If this is not enough, we have the next RAI Recital in San Remo (1954): her first aproach to the french language is heard in "Depuis le jour", a jewel in "Tutte le torture", the wonderful "D'amore al dolce impero" and the echoes in the shadow song "Ombra leggiera" (ending with a top D). Finally, is included only one aria from the recital of Milan (1956): the Mad Scene from Hamlet (sung in italian) is very enjoyable!!!!! (Unfortunately, they not included the Semiramide's aria "Bel Raggio Lusinghier" from the same concert) What technique and what coloratura is shown in this recitals!!!!!!

Immediatly, Callas goes deeper with the Isolda's death "Dolce e calmo" (one of the two versions of this wagnerian aria), sung in Athenas (1957). Finally, the compilation ends with the concert of Amsterdam (1959), considered by the critics like the peak of her career. The arias included here are from la Vestale, Don Carlo, Ernani and Il Pirata.

This CD is a compilation that shows what Maria Callas was capable at her most inspired!!!!!!!

Tracklist - Disc 1
Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), Un bel di vedremo
Air and Variations on "Deh Torna, Mio Bene, Mio Tenere Amor" for soprano (composer: Proch)
Macbeth, Vieni! t'affretta…Or tutti sorgete
Lucia di Lammermoor, Il dolce suono…Ardon gli incensi
Nabucco, Ben io t'invenni…Anch'io dischiuso un giorno
Lakmé, Dov'è l'indiana bruna?
Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K. 384 Tutte le torture
Dinorah, Ahimè! che notte oscura…Ombra leggiera
Louise, Depuis le jour
Armida, D'Amore al dolce impero



Tracklist - Disc 2
Hamlet, Ai vostri giochi…Ed ora a voi
Tristan und Isolde, Dolce e calmo
La Vestale, Tu che invoco
Ernani, Surta è la notte…Ernani, Ernani, ivolami
Don Carlo, Tu che le vanità
Il Pirata, Oh, s'io potessi…
Il Pirata, …Col sorriso d'innocenza