Immerse yourself in the legendary artistry of Maria Callas with "Pure - Maria Callas," a breathtaking collection of opera favorites that showcase her unparalleled vocal prowess and dramatic intensity. This album, set for release on November 3, 2024, by Warner Classics, features 42 iconic arias that span the rich tapestry of operatic history, from the tragic heroines of Verdi and Puccini to the enchanting characters of Bizet and Massenet.
"Pure - Maria Callas" is a testament to the enduring legacy of one of the 20th century's most celebrated sopranos. Each track is a masterclass in vocal technique and emotional depth, highlighting Callas's ability to breathe life into some of opera's most beloved and challenging roles. From the heart-wrenching "Casta diva" from Bellini's "Norma" to the soaring "Vissi d'arte" from Puccini's "Tosca," this album is a journey through the highs and lows of human experience, as told through the lens of opera's greatest stories.
The album's extensive tracklist includes a diverse range of arias, from the hauntingly beautiful "Ombra leggera" from Meyerbeer's "Dinorah" to the fiery passion of "Carmen's" Habanera. Callas's performances are marked by their technical brilliance and emotional resonance, making this collection a treasure trove for both opera enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.
"Pure - Maria Callas" is not just an album; it's an experience. The remastered recordings, brought to life with new clarity and brilliance, allow listeners to appreciate the nuances of Callas's voice and the depth of her performances. Whether you're a longtime fan of Maria Callas or a newcomer to the world of opera, this album is a captivating exploration of the art form's most enduring works, as interpreted by one of its greatest interpreters.
Bellini: Norma, Act 1: "Casta diva" (Norma, Coro)Vincenzo Bellini, Maria Callas, Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano, Tullio Serafin, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
Puccini: La bohème, Act 1: "Sì. Mi chiamano Mimì" (Mimì)Giacomo Puccini, Maria Callas, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Puccini: La bohème, Act 3: "Donde lieta uscì" (Mimì)Giacomo Puccini, Maria Callas, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Puccini: Gianni Schicchi: "O mio babbino caro" (Lauretta)Giacomo Puccini, Maria Callas, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Verdi: La traviata, Act 1: "È strano! È strano!" (Violetta)Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas, Gabriele Santini, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai
Verdi: La traviata, Act 1: "Ah, fors’è lui che l’anima" (Violetta)Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas, Gabriele Santini, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai
Verdi: La traviata, Act 1: "Sempre libera" (Violetta, Alfredo)Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas, Francesco Albanese, Gabriele Santini, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai
Verdi: La traviata, Act 3: "Addio, del passato bei sogni ridenti" (Violetta)Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas, Gabriele Santini, Orchestra Sinfonica Di Torino Della Rai
Verdi: Il trovatore, Act 4: "D'amor sull'ali rosee" (Leonora)Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas, Herbert von Karajan, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
Bizet: Carmen, Act 1: Habanera. "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Carmen, Chœur)Georges Bizet, Maria Callas, Choeurs Rene Duclos, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris
Bizet: Carmen, Act 1: Séguedille. "Près des remparts de Séville" (Carmen, José)Georges Bizet, Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris
Bizet: Carmen, Act 2: "Les tringles des sistres tintaient" (Carmen, Frasquita, Mercédès)Georges Bizet, Maria Callas, Jane Berbié, Nadine Sautereau, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris
Massenet: Werther, Act 3: "Werther ! Werther !" - "Je vous écris de ma petite chambre" (Charlotte)Jules Massenet, Maria Callas, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor, Act 1: "Regnava nel silenzio alta la notte e bruna" (Lucia, Alisa)Gaetano Donizetti, Maria Callas, Margreta Elkins, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor, Act 1: "Quando rapito in estasi" (Lucia, Alisa)Gaetano Donizetti, Maria Callas, Margreta Elkins, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Rossini: La Cenerentola, Act 2: "Nacqui all'affanno, al pianto" - "Non più mesta" (Cenerentola)Gioacchino Rossini, Maria Callas, Nicola Rescigno, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire
Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia, Act 1: "Una voce poco fa" (Rosina)Gioachino Rossini, Maria Callas, Alceo Galliera, Philharmonia Orchestra
Puccini: Tosca, Act 2: "Vissi d'arte" (Tosca)Giacomo Puccini, Maria Callas, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire
Puccini: Tosca, Act 3: "Com'è lunga l'attesa!" (Tosca)Giacomo Puccini, Maria Callas, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire
Puccini: La bohème, Act 1: "O soave fanciulla" (Schaunard, Colline, Marcello, Rodolfo, Mimì)Giacomo Puccini, Maria Callas, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Manuel Spatafora, Rolando Panerai, Nicola Zaccaria, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Antonino Votto
Puccini: Turandot, Act 2: "In questa reggia" (Turandot)Giacomo Puccini, Maria Callas, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Puccini: Turandot, Act 3: "Tu, che di gel sei cinta" (Liù)Giacomo Puccini, Maria Callas, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Puccini: Madama Butterfly, Act 2: "Un bel dì vedremo" (Butterfly)Giacomo Puccini, Maria Callas, Herbert von Karajan, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
Verdi: I vespri siciliani, Act 5: "Mercé, dilette amiche" (Elena)Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Verdi: Aida, Act 1: "Ritorna vincitor" (Aida)Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas, Nicola Rescigno, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire
Catalani: La Wally, Act 1: "Ebben? Ne andrò lontana" (Wally)Alfredo Catalani, Maria Callas, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Delibes: Lakmé, Act 2: Aria delle campanelle. "Dov'è l'indiana bruna?" (Lakmé)Léo Delibes, Maria Callas, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Charpentier: Louise, Act 3: "Depuis le jour où je me suis donnée" (Louise)Gustave Charpentier, Maria Callas, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française
Verdi: Rigoletto, Act 1: "Gualtier Maldè!" - "Caro nome" (Gilda, Borsa, Ceprano, Marullo)Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas, Renato Ercolani, William Dickie, Carlo Forti, Tullio Serafin, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
Verdi: Macbeth, Act 2: "La luce langue" (Lady Macbeth)Giuseppe Verdi, Maria Callas, Nicola Rescigno, Philharmonia Orchestra
Giordano: Andrea Chénier, Act 3: "La mamma morta" (Maddalena)Umberto Giordano, Maria Callas, Tullio Serafin, Philharmonia Orchestra
Gluck: Alceste, Wq. 44, Act 1: "Divinités du Styx" (Alceste)Christoph Willibald Gluck, Maria Callas, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française
Gluck: Orphée et Eurydice, Wq. 41, Act 4: "J'ai perdu mon Eurydice" (Orphée)Christoph Willibald Gluck, Maria Callas, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française
Massenet: Manon, Act 2: "Je ne suis que faiblesse" - "Adieu, notre petite table" (Manon)Jules Massenet, Maria Callas, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire
Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila, Op. 47, Act 1: "Printemps qui commence" (Dalila)Camille Saint-Saëns, Maria Callas, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française
Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila, Op. 47, Act 2: "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" (Dalila)Camille Saint-Saëns, Maria Callas, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française
Gounod: Roméo et Juliette, Act 1: Valse. "Ah ! Je veux vivre dans ce rêve" (Juliette)Charles Gounod, Maria Callas, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française
Maria Callas, born in New York City in 1923, was an American-born Greek soprano who left an indelible mark on the world of opera. Renowned for her extraordinary bel canto technique, powerful voice, and dramatic intensity, Callas was hailed as "La Divina" for her unparalleled performances. Her repertoire spanned from the intricate arias of opera seria to the grand operas of Verdi and Puccini, and even the dramatic works of Wagner. Callas' ability to bring emotional depth and technical brilliance to her roles made her one of the most celebrated and influential opera singers of the 20th century. Her performances at prestigious venues like Milan's La Scala and New York's Metropolitan Opera solidified her status as a legend in the opera world. Beyond her musical prowess, Callas' personal life and dramatic stage presence captivated audiences, making her a cultural icon whose legacy endures long after her untimely death in 1977.