This remastering by Callas' first ever recital for EMI is absolutely divine. In even better sound (It is a studio-recording) and stunning presence we can hear Callas' voice as well as never before. The highlights are definitely Manon's "Sola, perduta...", Butterfly's suicide, Tosca's prayer, Turandots "In questa reggia", Lius "Tu che di gel sei cinta", the love-duet from Tosca etc. I believe Callas'first "Sola, perduta..." is absolutely ravishing. Young Callas had such a rich, glorious sound! But not only that, listen how she phrases "No! Non voglio morir!" And "Tutto e finito!" with so much morbidezza and drama! Absolutely sublime! As Butterfly she is more the loving mother than any other Butterfly I've heard before or since, listen to how she phrases "Guardami! Amore addio, addio piccolo amor!". This would melt a heart of stone! I'm also totally floored by her "In questa reggia", this shows why Italy adored her as Turandot in the late forties. She triumphed as Turandot and Norma (!) in the same week at the Teatro Colon! Imagine Nilsson, Turner or Marton doing Norma! Impossible? Well, Callas made it possible. I could go on and on but you get the idea. This his the finest Puccini-Recital ever recorded. And to those who think that Callas lacked the warmth necessary for Puccini's heroines: Listen to the duet from La Boheme, Callas' voice is glowing there, like velvet!

It's already been said, this is one of the best Puccini aria recitals. Callas adopts just the right colour for each of the characters she undertakes in this recital. That said, the selections on this disc are mostly the same as those found in her "Puccini Arias" recital, and the masters in that disc are the ones utilized here. In addition to those arias, "Vissi d'arte" and the duet "Non la sospiri" from Tosca (2002 remstering), "O soave fanciulla" from La Boheme, and "Vogliatemi bene" from M.Butterfly (1997 remastering) are also included, though the duet from Tosca doesn't end naturally in my opinion, because it's just a part taken from the entire love duet from Act I. The performances themselves are highly commendable, and thus make this (or the previously released "Puccini Arias") a must have CD.

This is a truly beautiful program of Puccini arias sung by the legendary Maria Callas.