Although the bel canto repertoire was crucial to Callas’s career, and she played a significant part in reviving its fortunes, she never sang any of the roles – from both serious and comic operas – that are represented in this recital. Gramophone said: ‘It is extraordinary how the whole quality and colour of Callas’ voice changes as she moves from one character to another – for example, from the grand manner appropriate to the Babylonian queen [Semiramide] to the passion of the spoilt Italian duchess [Lucrezia Borgia] and thence to the simple charm of the countrywoman Adina [L’elisir d’amore].’
Rossini |
La Cenerentola 1. Nacqui all’affanno…Non più mesta (Act II) |
Guglielmo Tell 2. S’allontanarono alfine!...Selva opaca (Act II) |
Donizetti: La figlia del reggimento 3. Convien partir (Act I) |
Rossini: Semiramide 4. Bel raggio lusinghier (Act I) |
Donizetti |
Lucrezia Borgia 5. Tranquillo ei posa...Com’è bello (Prologue) |
L’elisir d’amore 6. Prendi, prendi; per me sei libera (Act II) |
Maria Callas soprano |