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Puccini: Tosca / Callas, De Sabata, Di Stefano, Et Al


Release Date: 08/19/1997 
Label:  Emi Classics   Catalog #: 56304   Spars Code: ADD 
Composer:  Giacomo Puccini
Performer:  Melchiorre Luise,  Dario Caselli,  Maria Callas,  Giuseppe Di Stefano,   ... 
Conductor:  Victor De Sabata
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Milan Teatro alla Scala Orchestra,  Milan Teatro alla Scala Chorus
Number of Discs: 2 
Recorded in: Mono 
Length: 1 Hours 48 Mins. 

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Notes and Editorial Reviews

'Tosca,' Giacomo Puccini's "shabby little shocker," had its premiere in 1900. The libretto, by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, was based on the Sardou drama of the same name. The opera has come to be associated with Maria Callas, the most celebrated interpreter of the title role. This recording, which dates from 1953, is THE classic performance, one of two "official" recordings, as it were. It is a must-have for all Callas fans. (There is another official recording, made in 1964, with a different conductor, Georges Prêtre, and a different Cavaradossi, Carlo Bergonzi, but as the years passed, so did the quality of Callas's voice.) This earlier version is far superior.
Tradition mandates that we hear Callas sing with her fabled Read more partner, the honey-voiced Di Stefano. Here, his sweetness is a wonderful counterpoint to Callas's dramatic, covered voice. Tito Gobbi provides a crafty Scarpia, and De Sabata's conducting is considered by many to be the ultimate reading of this work.
But Callas is the diva here, and the listener is treated to the full amalgam of her emotional range. This performance is the myth-making one! Read less

Works on This Recording

1. Tosca by Giacomo Puccini
Performer:  Melchiorre Luise (Bass), Dario Caselli (Bass), Maria Callas (Soprano),
Giuseppe Di Stefano (Tenor), Franco Calabrese (Bass), Tito Gobbi (Baritone),
Angelo Mercuriali (Tenor), Alvaro [boy soprano] Cordova (Boy Soprano)
Conductor:  Victor De Sabata
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Milan Teatro alla Scala Orchestra,  Milan Teatro alla Scala Chorus
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1900; Italy 
 Date of Recording: 08/1953 
Venue:  La Scala Theater, Milan, Italy 
Length: 108 Minutes 4 Secs. 
Language: Italian 

Sound Samples

Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Ah! Finalmente!
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Dammi i colori...Recondita armonia
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Gente là dentro!
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Mario!
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Ah, quegli occhi! ... Quale occhi al mondo può di paro
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: E buona la mia Tosca
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Un tal baccano in chiesa!
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Tutto è chiaro ... Tosca? Che non mi veda ... Mario! Mario!
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Ed io venivo a lui tutta dogliosa
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 1: Tre sbirri (Te Deum)
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Tosca è un buon falco
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Ha più forte
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Meno male!
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Dov'è dunque Angelotti?
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Ed or fra noi parliam da buoni amici
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Orsù, Tosca, parlate
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Basta, Roberti
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Nel pozzo...Del giardino
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Se la giurata
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Vissi d'arte
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: Vedi, ecco, vedi
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 2: E qual via scegliete?
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 3: Io de' sospiri
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 3: Mario Cavaradossi?
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 3: E lucevan le stelle
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 3: Ah! Franchigia a Floria Tosca
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 3: O dolci mani
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 3: E non giungono
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 3: Com'è lunga l'attesa!
Tosca (1997 Digital Remaster), ACT 3: Presto! su, Mario! Andiamo! Andiamo!, Su!

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