Search - Maria Callas :: Viva Diva [Box Set]

The best of the first voice of La Divina!

José Manuel Vizcaya | México, D.F. Mexico | 10/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have always thuought in a compilation like this, and finally I have found it! This 5 CD box set includes the most famous arias and scenes from the early years of La Divina, when her voice was still supported by a fat body. For example, it includes the most beautiful pieces of her mexican seasons in the luxurious Palacio de Bellas Artes, like the cavatine "Casta Diva", the trio "Oh! Di Qual Sei Tu Vittima" and the duet "In mia man alfin tu sei" from the Bellini's Norma of the 1950 season (debut in México). From this season is also included her first Leonora in Verdi's Il trovatore, with arias like "Tacea la notte... Di tale amor" (what notes!), "D'amor sull'ali rosee... Miserere" and the famous duet with Conde di Luna "Vivrá contedo il giubilo". From the 1950 season, this compilation also includes arias and duets of her Tosca, without forget her moving "Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore". From the 1951 season, it contains the Aida's "Ritorna vincitor", "Qui Radames verrá... o cieli azurri", "O terra addio" and the concertante "Gloria all'Egitto" with the famouos interpolated E flat at its end (a note that was never written by Verdi). From this season is also included her Violetta's interpretation in Verdi's La Traviata, with arias like "Sempre libera" (wiht another E flat at the end) and "Teneste la promessa... Addio del passato". From the 1952 México season, the set recalls her only stage performance of Gilda in Verdi's Rigoletto (the end of this aria is simply incredible, with a beautiful and surprising E flat!)This set also remembers the legendary performances at La Scala, in the 1951 and 1952 seasons: the amazing Elena in Verdi's I vespri siciliani with arias like "Arrigo, ah parli a un core" and the Bolero "Mercé, dilette amiche". Also, is included the very best of her evil Lady Macbeth with Victor de Sabata: "Vieni t'affreta... Or tutti sorgete", "La luce langue" and the sleepingwalk scene "Una macchia e qui tuttora".The compilation also recalls her only stage performance of the role of Abigaille in Verdi's Nabucco (San Carlo, Naples, 1949), including the recitativo, cavatina and cabaletta "Ben io t'invenni, o fatal scritto... Anch'io dischiuso un giorno" and her unforgettable scene of Kundry in Wagner's Parsifal, sung in italian in 1950. If all the previos recordings are not enough, the set also includes her 1952 studio Gioconda and her first studio recordings of Elvira in Bellini's I Puritani ("Qui la voce...Vien diletto") and Isolda's death "Liebestod" (Dolce e calmo, sung in italian too).It would have been incredible that this compilation had included the 1952 Armida, Lucia di Lammermoor and Elvira (the last two in México), the 1953 Medea and the 1954 Alceste... but the previos material is enough for doing this compilation a very incredible document that shows all the capabilities of la Divina at her very first prime, justifying completely the title of the "soprano assoluto" of the century."