Customer Reviews

Maria Callas at Juillard: The Masterclasses

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Long acknowledged for its contribution to the teaching of singing, Callas at Juillard is indeed worth a listen. Recorded during her sessions at Juillard, Callas goes through the sung repertoire ranging from Mozart to Bellini to Verdi with both roles that she was famed for as well as roles that she had never sung. What is special about this record is that each session covering an aria is paired up with the same aria as performed previously by Callas if possible. This allows us to compare the differences that may have resulted in the gap of the performances. Callas shows us the insight she had gained as a student while she took a sabatical from the stage and takes this as an opportunity to impart her experience and knowledge to the students. Covering arias like "Non mi dir" from Don Giovanni, Norma's "Casta Diva" which was her calling card, to even the veil song for Princess Eboli in Don Carlos and even Rigoletto's aria, Callas reveals her natural instinct and understanding of roles and how they are to be sung. At a time while she was not in her vocal prime, Callas astounds when she accompanies the students demonstrating a phrase or two. Her voice still shows the beauty and tenacity that she was known for, at times matched that of her voice at its peak. Peppering the sessions with comments, she shows the students what is done and why it is done and at times, even shows her sense of humour. This recording is as precious as any can get and more so than any of her records, show Callas at her most relaxed and natural and thereby at her best. Combined with John Ardoin's book, this CD is unmatched for its value and worth as a study guide.

This is a treasure recording! Totally an amazing! I'M THRILLED!!!
My favorite part is the "Cortigiani, vil razza dannata" lesson! It is interesting how Callas is teaching Baritone part and she is absolutely amazing! I cry almost everytime I listen to this track. You will learn a lot! A MUST have!

This is the first time I have heard Callas speak outside of operatic performance, and even in her normal speaking voice you Listen. It is amazing to hear this passionate teacher share her love of music, and in mid-sentence come out with examples of her singing - like a higher power.
I highly recommend this to true music lovers and musicians.

--these are masterclasses, for the singers a special kind of hell (a lesson from the master in full public view) and, for the audience, in permissible voyeurism, UNIQUE THEATER, every second to savored
--be advised that the individual sessions are distant-miked and pretty poor quality so you got to crank up the volume to hear, and that the interpolated callas recordings are at normal studio engineered voume so you got lunge back at the controls

If you are a voice major, then buy this set. It is more instructional perhaps in that sense. But for true enjoyment? It is just not for me.

Take the money you would spend on this set and buy the LA DIVINA CALLAS set. Well worth the money if you want to hear the divine Miss Callas. There are also numerous EMI classic sets out there for her opera performances that I think would be much more of an enjoyable listening experience than the Julliard recordings.