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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grand Night at the Opera,
By an opera and callas fan (san jose, calif.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: MARIA CALLAS: DÉBUTS À PARIS [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I bought this video without seeing any reviews. I knew that I wanted to see an actual performance after hearing so many of Maria Callas' wonderful recordings. I choose this video because it was during the period when everyone agrees her voice was at it's best. Although the picture quality varies, it was broadcast on French T.V. in 1958, the audio quality is much better than I expected, with the overall effect of feeling that you are at the Paris Opera House! The selection of arias are some of the best Callas ever performed, and her performance is perfection itself. One can see how she became the character for each aria. Finally, the performance of all of Act II of Tosca is absolutely essential for all opera fans because this is Maria Callas and Tito Gobbi at their absolute best!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
SHEER MAGNIFICENCE,
By A Customer
This review is from: MARIA CALLAS: DÉBUTS À PARIS [VHS] (VHS Tape)
"Una Voce Poco Fa" clearly exhibits Maria's amazing flowing techniques. Her brilliance wraps around the audience and reaches into their souls. While interpreting "Tosca", there is such a change in the atmosphere that it is quite impossible to describe with words. This video is a must see!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
To this day, still a great triumph for La Divina!,
By A Customer
This review is from: MARIA CALLAS: DÉBUTS À PARIS [VHS] (VHS Tape)
What made Maria Callas so special cannot be discussed in full here; rather, one can get a good idea of what "Callas mania" was and is by viewing this video. There are moments of poor cinematography and perhaps sound, but then again, this was a live recording back when recording technology wasn't so advanced. These things usually bother me a little, but trust me, the music and Callas make magic that shines through. Be prepared to not only listen to some of opera's greatest moments, but also to be witness to Callas' great stage presence. She completely became the characters she portrayed, and knew aspects of the music not many artists had insight of before. The only version of this concert I saw was quite interesting; Italian opera, French narration, and JAPANESE subtitles! Still, Maria Callas' performance held my attention in whole; she was the star, but as she might say, she was just "serving my (her) art." Even after the gorgeous "Casta diva" and "Ah, bello, a me ritorno" numbers from "Norma" (her signature role), the haunting, moving "D'amor, sull'ali rosee" from "Il Trovatore", an exciting "Una voce poco fa" from "Il Barbieri di Siviglia" (such drama at the beginning of the concert, and now sheer delight!), enjoy an intense, artistically complete performance of Act II of "Tosca", with Baron Scarpia portrayed by none other than Tito Gobbi, with whom Maria Callas had a close, glorious partnership in opera (especially in these two roles). Observing this concert, you'll see all the reasons that made Maria Callas "La Divina" here, in this concert, all rolled up into one. But be sure to enjoy it for yourself, too! Maria Callas would want you to, I'm sure. She was very gracious to her audience; in turn, they, as is today, grateful to her.
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