Search - Callas, Verdi, Bellini :: Maria Callas: Live Recordings, 1957-1963

It's amazing that this album was ever released..............

(Mr.) N. Sean Wright | Whiteville, NC USA | 08/02/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"


I could only give this CD 3 stars (barely).

If I were only considering the voice

of Maria Callas, I would have given

a solid 5 stars.

HOWEVER,

what makes this CD unrecommendable is the audio

quality. I understand perfectly well the

technical audio capabilities of that time period,

and this is totally unacceptable. It sounds as if someone

recorded these recitals on a hand-held tape recorder in

their pocket in the stall of a restroom of a building

across the street; If that good!

You hear more audience noise and feedback hissing

than Callas' performance. It's very difficult to fully appreciate

her singing.



On a positive note, one track stands out above all. "Al Dolce Guidami" is brilliant. She delivers the song like

a complete emotional episode that she was experiencing

personally at the moment. I have never heard such a

moving rendition; and with it being a live recording, it

adds a further layer of luster.



While the horrid audio quality completely turned me off,

I can honestly say that if you can bear the incidental

noice, you will discover a great set of vocal performances.

"