Bellini: La Sonnambula [Import]

Vincenzo Bellini (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), La Scala Theater Orchestra (Orchestra), La Scala Theater Orchestra & Chorus (Orchestra), Cesare Valletti (Performer), Eugenia Ratti (Performer), Gabriella Carturan (Performer), Giuseppe Modesti (Performer), Maria Callas (Performer), Pierluigi Latinucci (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Cesare Valletti, Eugenia Ratti, Gabriella Carturan, Giuseppe Modesti, Maria Callas, et al.
• Orchestra: La Scala Theater Orchestra, La Scala Theater Orchestra & Chorus
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Vincenzo Bellini
• Audio CD (April 18, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Myto Records Italy
• ASIN: B000001MI2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #583,940 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #78 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Callas, Maria

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Primo: Viva Anima!

2. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Primo: Tutto È Gioia, Tutto È Festa...

3. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Primo: In Elvezia Non V'ha Rosa

4. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Primo: Care Compagne, E Voi Teneri Amici,

5. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Primo: Come Per Me Sereno

6. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Primo: Sovra Il Sen La Man Mi Posa;

7. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Primo: Io Più Di Tutti, O Amina,

8. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Primo: Perdona, O Mia Diletta,

9. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Primo: Prendi: I'anel Ti Dono

10. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Primo: Come Nel Vostro Cor.

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. La sonnambula, opera: D'un Pensiero E D'un Accento

2. La sonnambula, opera: Non Più Nozze; Al Nuovo Amante,

3. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Secondo: Qui La Selva È Più Folta Ed Ombrosa,

4. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Secondo: Reggimi, O Buona Madre:

5. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Secondo: Vedi, O Madre... È Afflitto E Mesto...

6. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Secondo: Viva Il Conte!

7. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Secondo: Ah! Perché Non Posso Odiarti,

8. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Secondo: Lasciami: Aver Compreso

9. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Secondo: De' Lieti Auguri A Voi Son Grata,

10. La sonnambula, opera: Atto Secondo: E Fia Pur Vero, Elvino,

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CALLAS IS CALLAS: TAKE HER OR LEAVE HER ALONE!, October 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini: La Sonnambula (Audio CD)

Maria Callas was a supremely great artist, as was Joan Sutherland, Montserrat Caballe', etc. For people to throw brickbats at any of them is to show great ignorance of music. I am enthralled by all three of them, and know that each brought something uniquely wonderful to opera. That said, I find this Callas "Sommambula" quite impressive. Callas is in great form here. If the natural timbre of her voice disturbs you, you merely can pass on this recording. Others will appreciate its merits. Callas' phrasing here is exemplary, her technique completely secure, and her dramatic instincts right on target. Cesare Valletti is a lyrical Elvino. Leonard Bernstein's conducting is exciting, but perhaps too fast in certain sections. This is a live performance, taped at La Scala in March, 1955. It preserves what must have been a spectacular occasion, which has been validated by critics who have written about it. The sound of this recording is not anywhere near state-of-the art, but it is listenable, and provides a good documentation of what an evening at La Scala with Callas was like. For Callas fans, of course. For those who don't appreciate her, there's always Sutherland, who was equally great in her own way.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CALLAS IS THE BEST AMINA ON CD!, August 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini: La Sonnambula (Audio CD)

While Sutherland sang Amina with great beauty, she does not convince the listener as Callas does. This live recording captures La Divina on a truly magical night at La Scala. The voice, the trills, and the embellishments are breathtaking. She starts on a high plane and builds her miraculous performance with each scene. Just listening to "Ah Non Giunge" (final scene) as she climbs higher and higher, finally sending that miraculous voice out into the auditorium and ENCIRCLING the audience (WOW!) will absolutely bowl you over. The audience on the recording simply raises the opera house roof with applause and bravas! Live recording-ok sound, but a LEGENDARY performance. BRAVA MARIA!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CALLAS AT HER GREATEST!, June 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini: La Sonnambula (Audio CD)

This performance marked one of the most spectacular evenings of the Callas career. She is in stupendous voice here, taking on the most taxing and difficult coloratura embellishments and tossing them out as though they were trifles. Callas takes all kinds of vocal chances here and gets away with all of them. Her legato singing is meltingly lyrical and beautiful as well. Her duets with Cesare Valletti (who is himself in great form) an object-lesson in great bel canto singing. The La Scala audience doesn't hesitate to show its approval. This was a golden period for Maria Callas at La Scala, and to have this performance documented, in aceptable sound, is something to be cherished.