This is surely one of the best Callas recitals ever committed to disc. The voice is firm and secure throughout. In fact most of the items are better sung here than in her recordings of the complete operas. This is noticeable especially in "In Questa Reggia" which - Eva Turner set a part - is the best recording (ever) of the piece and which shows why this opera suited Callas so well in the early stages of her career. By 1957 when she recorded the complete opera her voice was far less secure and a distinctive wobble creeps in here and there.

This disc also confirms Callas' supremacy in comedy. "O mio Babbino Caro" is one of the best ever conveyed on to disc - to set beside Victoria de los Angeles'.

The overall favorable impression of this recital is naturally enhanced by the ever secure hand of Tullio Serafin's.

If you do not know Callas well and want to learn this disc is definitely the one to start with. Here are all the famous Puccini arias with this outstanding artist, in her prime, conducted by one of the best opera conductors of this century - and in excellent technical standard (signed W. Legge - of course).

Any one who likes Maria Callas and or Puccini will love this CD! I reguet this is the only Maria CD that I have, but I have one more coming for Christmas. (2 CD set) and "Tosca" with Maria Callas in it as well. Maria Callas is my idol. I am 14, I sing opera, and I hope that I can be just like her one day! E-mail me if you have any questions about this review! Thank you!

This compilation includes the great arias from many of Puccini's most popular operas. The program was recorded in the 50's but EMI has used its Abbey Road Technology to digitally remaster the album resulting in an incredible sounding album. Hiss is very minimal, the orchestra doesn't sound so far back as in some mono recordings, and the voice is captured excellently. These arias are the ones that make us cry, send shivers down our arms, and remind us of why we like opera. I'm a new listener to Marie Callas, but I am easily able to see why she still has such a devoted fan base in the opera community. Her voice really is quite lovely, and her delivery of the arias is so passionate. This album is definitely a recommended one.

My review:

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!

Buy it at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001HAH78/cm_aya_asin.title/002-5737532-8946412?v=glance&s=music

Puccini is one of my favorite opera composers, and with Maria Callas singing his works, what could go wrong? Callas is fantastic in every aria here. You can feel her emotions. I was quite pleased that this had some of my favorite arias on as well as ones I didn't have. This is a fantastic CD that every opera lover should have!