Callas Sings Aida

On this CD:

1. Aida, opera
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Maria Callas, Kurt Baum, Nicola Moscona, Giulietta Simionato, Ignacio Ruffino, Carlos Sagarminaga, Robert Weede
Conducted by Guido Picco

Customer Reviews:

Fraud!!!!!.......2001-02-28

The Turandot Act 2 section is fraudulent. It's a clever hoax, using Callas's EMI 1954 version of "In questa reggia" and then some of the 1957 recording. At one point it's Inge Borkh singing with del Monaco. Only the two short fragments from Act 3 are genuine. There's a whole website devoted to this topic.

The Aida excerpts are fine, except that they show that those Mexican performances bordered on the amateur as far as rehearsals were concerned.

Legendary Performance.......2000-10-18

This is the only existing early recording of Callas as Turandot. Sure, there is the studio recording but that's wretched. Her voice wasn't fit at the time to handle a role like that. This is the best recording you'll find of her singing Turandot's introductory aria and riddle scene and a part of the last duet with Calaf(if you can hear it). Her tenor is Mario del Monaco. Unfortunately the sound isn't what you would call up to date. It is definitely not for those that are sensitive to fuzz, imbalanced volumes at times, and if you're interested in hearing the orchestra. You can here them every once in a while but the main feature is Callas. Luckily most of her parts are well brought out in the mastering. This is definitely for blood thirsty Callas fans that have been waiting to hear a non wobbly Turandot sung by Callas. The Aida sections include the big everybody's singing scene before Aida's big aria Ritorna Vincitor. The rest is a duet with Amneris, O Patria Mia, and the Act 4 duet with Radames. The sound for these excerpts are a bit better but that doesn't say too much. There isn't as much static/fuzz on these excerpts and the volume level stays pretty even and you can hear the orchestra. Once again, this is Callas in more even voice than her studio recording. No notorious super wide vibrato high C here. I think there is a full live recording of her in Mexico as Aida though. I would highly recommend this CD if your looking for legendary performances by a legendary performer. But if you're looking for extraordinary sound and clarity go for the Joan Sutherland Turandot and the Leontyne Price Aida. Both are also very well performed and sung.

Maria Callas Sings Excerpts from Il Trovatore & Aida [Highlights]

Average customer rating:

Highlights do classic 'Aida' justice

Maria Callas Sings Excerpts from Il Trovatore & Aida [Highlights]

Manufacturer: Archipel
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005LZPD
Release Date: 2001-06-26

Customer Reviews:

Highlights do classic 'Aida' justice.......2001-08-10

I wasn't sure whether to get the complete opera or simply the highlights of this Giuseppe Verdi classic. Opting for the latter, I can safely I was not disappointed, and in fact quite pleased.

The highlights version of 'Aida', the lush, intricate story of an Ethiopian slave girl whom the opera is named after, is simply marvelous as it brings forth all the important components of the story. Some of the best pieces are included, including the sadly beautiful "I sacri nomi di padre", as well the glorious chorus of "Vieni, o guerriero vindice". The singers are all suited well for their expectations, and the sound recording is excellent.

'Aida' is truly a work of Verdi's greatness, and the highlights edition doesn't fail to deliver. The complete opera is, I'm sure, even better. But you will not be disappointed with the edited version. It is superb.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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