Rosina Roccavilla

The legend of la Divina comes of course from her amazing discographic legacy, with dozens of iconic studio operas and recitals, but even more from her stunning stage presence, which left a lasting mark to the privileged attendees of her live performances. Spanning all the greatest works of the operatic repertoire, this collection revives the electrifying Callas nights in the most prestigious venues. It includes concerts from no less than ten distinct locations, from Paris and Amsterdam to London and San Remo, with such distinguished partners as Malcolm Sargent, Georges Prêtre, John Pritchard and Nicola Rescigno.

Her smiling face, her generosity and her simplicity have won the hearts of all those who have seen this great singer from afar or close up; a singer who could never be mistaken for a diva. No caprices, no bouts of rage, no outrageous demands: she simply sang. It was the Geneva International Music Competition, which she won with such great success in 1947, that propelled the young Spanish singer to the front of the world stage. Right away, she was enlisted to sing La Vida Breve by Manuel de Falla in London, and then Paris invited her to play Marguerite in Gounod's Faust at the Opéra, before becoming Mimi (La Bohème by Puccini), under the direction of Sir Thomas Beecham at Covent Garden. Salzburg, New York, Milan, Vienna and Buenos Aires followed. A coloratura soprano first and foremost, she sang roles from Rossini with agility. As the years went by, she expanded her voice and her repertoire, becoming a much sought-after lyric soprano. Thanks to her particular gift for languages, she has been Agathe in Weber's Freischütz, Desdemona in Verdi's Othello, Eva in Die Meistersinger by Wagner, or a touching Mélisande. She is a wily and spiteful Rosina (Barber of Seville), a simple and moving Mimi.