Callas in one of her best studio performances, Great Sound
Disadvantages:
Some fans might not like Callas' voice
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
This was Callas' first complete studio recording for years and it was a big step- some would say that it proves she should have sung mezzo roles all along. The voice is dark and powerful, without the flappy high notes she had singing higher soprano roles by this late stage in her career. She has lots of character and, despite her reputation as a 'tigress', lots of subtlety as well. She had sung french arias in the studio for about four or five years before recording this carmen and she has very good diction and a good awareness of style. She is most effective in her duets with Gedda, that most stylish of tenors. His smooth voice lacks the virility of say Domingo but Gedda is very french sounding and can be exciting. The conducting is very effective with Pretre being more successful here than in some of his other opera recordings (especially Tosca and Traviata). The sound is among the best of the entire Callas/EMI output with fine clear stereo and the orchestra sounding big and powerful.
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How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
How does it rate alongside the competition
Outstanding
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Good
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