Live 1956 Naples Lucia

Live performance of Lucia Di Lammermoor from Teatro San Carlo di Napoli in 1956. Maria Callas as Lucia. Conductor was Francesco Molinari-Pradelli. Edgardo was Gianni Raimondi. Of the Mad Scene, music critic John Ardoin wrote, "This section is sung with unusual sustained calm, with phrases such as "Del ciel clemente" almost more felt than heard."

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Callas
• Live
• Lucia

[operADB]

How right you two are. Opera is story telling and to me it is the interpretation of the artist that matters most. Does the singer convey the emotion of the music (and the libretto) with their voice? In Callas' case I believe she always did.

[mdancer01]

maria what happened with the final E flat ?

[operADB]

Like in her Berlin performances she ended the Mad Scene on the lower E-flat. She saved the high E-flat for the cabaletta. I'm not sure, but I don't think she took the high E in that aria again after 1955. Kind of miss it, huh?

[lagnaha]

This lady had an unsurpassed legato line and, for the fourteen or so years her voice was at its best, was THE prima donna

[zurriuss]

I agree with those who say that E flat in the end (Spargi d'amaro pianto) is better than in the middle (Ah non giuge!). Yes, Callas' voice after weightloss was changed. It wasn't strong enough to hit E flat every time, but it kept the whole dramatism and passion! I have older recording of this aria by Callas where she hits E flat with no problem but I think it's usless there. It fades the brilliant effect of the ending aria. Callas was one of the GREATEST LUCIA EVER! VIVA CALLAS!!!

[sillyboydeux]

I find the tempi too damn slow, frankly. The first part is usually sung at a brisker pace than this, although watching her sing it and listening to it are two completely different horses. It was probably better than the Berlin extravaganza, since everything always improved in her performances, until she stopped singing that is.

[Aetion]

Its more than beautiful. Its perfect!

[operagodess78]

Then why does she do both E-flats in the 1959 recording.

[comunnn]

callas di stefano...insuperabili

[Heraopera]

...many things she have served to the public and the composers music...this will never be forgotten ...! And all the mistakes she sometimes did have been many many times the mistakes of a real musician and singer!

Not like many sopranos who only sung and sing for staying on stage...nothing new or interesting to explain thru the music....

BRAAAAAAVA MARIA

[ezayi]

you mean... even you agree with Sutherland.

[ANTIQUARIATOSCIPPA]

SALUTI DA NAPOLI!