(The) Most Beautiful Soprano Arias

Advantages: Arguably the best cast for this opera on disc
Disadvantages: Some fans do not take to Callas' voice and the sound is old and mono

...This is probably the single finest recording of Giacomo Puccini's opera "TOSCA". The combination of quality singers, a great conductor and an excellent orchestra make this a very worthwhile version to own. Maria Callas, that most controversial of sopranos, is famed for her portrayal as Floria Tosca with this arguably being the finer of her two 'official' recordings of the work. In 1953 when this was recorded Callas was arguably at her finest with a big strong voice full of colour and without some of those infamous wiry high notes. She seems aware of all the different facets of her character and this makes for an exciting and interesting listen - compare the full voice screams and drama during her confrontation with Tito Gobbi's unsurpassed Baron Scarpia and the muted, tender "Vissi d'arte" one of the most beautiful arias in all opera... Read review

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Advantages: The most beautiful voice ever
Disadvantages: She's not very well known

...How can I convince you that Filippa Giordano has one of the most stunning voices you will ever hear and that if you listen to the CD you will be carried away into a land of enchantment? “Never heard of her,” You are probably saying to yourself – but nor had I. I just heard her briefly on the radio and was immediately captivated by her amazing voice which is reminiscent of a graceful bird dipping and diving, soaring and sweeping over an ocean. I didn’t know her name or the name of the album when I went in search of it. But I was lucky because the assistant in our local music shop seemed to know who I was talking about when I asked about a sort of opera singer with a stunningly different and beautiful voice. The song which first captivated me was her superb rendition of Casta Diva. This song is from the opera... Read review

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Advantages: A great singer
Disadvantages: You may be but off by a male singing this high

...The castrato soprano is (Thankfully) a thing of the past. The testicles of promising boy sopranos were removed in order to prevent the voice breaking. This was no doubt cruel but those who survived the operation became among the most sought after musical performers of the day. The hey-day of the castrato was the 17th and 18th century and the practice continued until the 19th. A very few recordings of the last castrati exist and anybody who has heard this scratchy footage can testify to the strange; other worldly quality that these voices have. In spite of the recent enthusiasm for ‘authentic’ performances and period instruments, the castrato soprano is perhaps the only common instrument of the Baroque and Classical tradition that has been lost forever. In modern times, roles that were previously performed... Read review

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