Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan

Giuseppe Verdi (Artist), Orchestra e coro del Teatro alla Scala (Artist), Carlo Maria Giulini (Artist), Maria Callas (Artist), Giuseppe di Stefano (Artist), Ettore Bastianini (Artist), Silvio Maionica (Artist), Luisa Mandelli (Artist), Arturo La Porta (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 17, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00000630Y
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,446 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #22 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Callas, Maria

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what opera is all about!, February 13, 2003

By 

John P. (Kennett Square, PA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan (Audio CD)

If ever the was an opera recording that deserved the highest praise despite its technical deficiencies, this is it. Many reviewers below complain about this recording's sonics -- it is a live, mono recording from 1955. But focusing on sonic problems in the face of Callas's magnificent performance is like deprecating the *Mona Lisa* because there are a few cracks in the paint. Callas gives here the ultimate opera performance: she not only has complete command of the music, but she works within it to create a living, breathing character who develops during the course of, and as a result of, the drama. What she does is better than acting while singing; it is acting *by means of* singing. (And, I should add, the other principals are excellent.)

If you have not yet listened to a lot of opera, or if you just want a recording that will sound pretty in the background, then you will probably not appreciate this set. As your tastes become more educated, however, return to this. You will be blown away.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST TRAVIATA, November 5, 2000

By 

anonymous (san francisco, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan (Audio CD)

This was one of Callas's signature rolls. I have many recordings of Callas performing Traviata ('51,'52,'53,'55,'56,'58 Lisbon, '58 Covent Garden), but this is the best. The sound quality is a problem -- but not THAT big a problem. It's not in the realm of historical document; it's a recording that can easily be enjoyed just for pleasure. (The '51 Mexico is a BAD recording.) The '55 has it over on the others for several reasons: 1) Callas was in her best voice -- the first few years after her weight loss; so she has the distinct Callas sound, and at its strongest. 2) Her attack on the role is fierce and hair-raising in its passion and depth of feeling. Listen to her saying goodbye to Alfredo. Then compare that moment to anyone else's recording. No one, with the exception of Alagna's wife (her name escapes me) comes CLOSE. The Lisbon recording has better sound but slightly weaker passion, and this La Scala recording also has the advantage of de Stefano as Alfredo. Do not miss this.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely perfect!!, June 19, 2002

By 

"harrmor" (Athens, Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan (Audio CD)

This is a definitive recording!
Although the performance is live and the sound may be not so good (it is also mono) ehat we hear is perfect. I believe this is the most beautiful Traviata on record musically, artistically and dramatically.
First of all, Callas! We are in 1955 and her voice is still beautiful. There are no problems with it and her colour is not yet ruined (many have said that Callas had an ugly voice, but this occured later). She sings gloriously and perfectly (Just listen "Sempre Libera" at the end of the first axct). Also she makes our heart break when she says Germont that Alfredo is the only person she has in the world ("Non sapete...")
in the second act. But I think that the most moving point is her separation with Alfredo in the same act. Listen to "Saro la...tra qui fior...presso a te sempre, sempre, sempre presso a te" and you won't remain with dry eyes. This is certainly the reason that when she leaves we can hear an uproarious applaud from the audience.
Di Stefano is a match for Callas at least where voice is concerned. He was not a tremendous actor but he was an adequate one. His performance here is great, he hits all the high notes perfectly (at one point when he pays Violetta for her services in the second act he is given a tremendous applaud that can be heard over the orchestra and the chorus).
Bastianini's Germont is also a diamond. He may not get inside the role but his voice is very beautiful and he uses it excellently. I believe that he is one of the best baritones ever.
Finally, I have nothing to say about Giulini's conduction but one word: SUBLIME!

So, I must reccommend this set not only for Callas fans but for all the fans of Verdi's masterpiece.