Tiroler Landestheater Chorus Catalani La Wally

Like Lucia di Lammermoor and Elvira (I puritani), Amina, the gentle heroine of La sonnambula,was a role that had become associated with light-voiced coloratura sopranos. Callas brought both a new substance and subtlety to the role when Luchino Visconti staged it for her at La Scala in 1955. This recording was made two years later, when the production was revived.

Relentlessly pursued by Fate, Leonora in La forza del destino is a haunted heroine whose passions and fears are expressed on a grand scale. Callas’s stage experience of Forza was limited to her early career in Italy – in fact, Leonora was her first Verdi role – but, as Lord Harewood, founder of Opera magazine, observed, her recorded assumption exhibited ‘an unparalleled musical sensibility and imagination and a grasp of the musico-dramatic picture which is unique’. She took her place in a powerful cast conducted by her mentor Tullio Serafin.

With this new recording, Decca has pretty much sewn up the market on three generations of outstanding Bohèmes. Tebaldi and Bergonzi represent the 1950s, Freni and Pavarotti represent the 70s, and now Gheorghiu and Alagna take us into the new millennium with a recording that ranks among the very best.

With this new recording, Decca has pretty much sewn up the market on three generations of outstanding Bohèmes. Tebaldi and Bergonzi represent the 1950s, Freni and Pavarotti represent the 70s, and now Gheorghiu and Alagna take us into the new millennium with a recording that ranks among the very best.

With this new recording, Decca has pretty much sewn up the market on three generations of outstanding Bohèmes. Tebaldi and Bergonzi represent the 1950s, Freni and Pavarotti represent the 70s, and now Gheorghiu and Alagna take us into the new millennium with a recording that ranks among the very best.

Digitally remastered 3 discs collection of American-born Greek soprano, Maria Callas. She was one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century. Many critics praised her bel canto technique, wide-ranging voice and dramatic interpretations. Her repertoire ranged from classical opera seria to the bel canto operas of Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini and, further, to the works of Verdi and Puccini; and, in her early career, to the music dramas of Wagner. Her musical and dramatic talents led to her being hailed as 'La Divina'. This compilation features mono and stereo recordings from 1952 to 1982 and includes a 64 pages booklet with many photos.

After almost 40 years on DECCA and over 3 million album sales Riccardo Chailly starts a new chapter in January 2017 as Music Director of Teatro alla Scala, Milan, the worlds most iconic opera house.

Anima Rara, the debut recital album from Ermonela Jaho, explores music championed by Rosina Storchio, one of the most charismatic lyric sopranos of the verismo era. Jaho sings arias from operas including Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Leoncavallo’s La bohème, Giordano’s Siberia, Mascagni’s Lodoletta and Verdi’s La traviata, accompanied by the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana led by young Italian conductor Andrea Battistoni. Known for performances of searing intensity and emotional truth, Jaho has been described as ‘the world’s most acclaimed soprano’ (The Economist) and ‘one of the great verismo interpreters’ (The Guardian).

After almost 40 years on DECCA and over 3 million album sales Riccardo Chailly starts a new chapter in January 2017 as Music Director of Teatro alla Scala, Milan, the worlds most iconic opera house.