Puccini: Tosca (1964) - Maria Callas

Gorgeous recording of Callas at her best and in stereo too!arrived quicker than expected.

The Callas Remastered series is great value for money. The remasterings I've heard - which include this 1964 recording of Tosca as well as Norma and Carmen - are the finest available, even if the incredibly bright and transparent sound registers the occasional glitch or clipping (sometimes the editing seems a little overzealous). This Tosca is supremely entertaining, with spine-tingling performances, lush orchestral playing and a spacious stereo soundstage. Callas is Callas, a genius able to break your heart or make your spirits soar at will. There will never be another like her.While others have been unimpressed with the packaging, I appreciate the obviously less elaborate cardboard slipcase and the paper sleeves. The booklet features only a brief overview in four languages and a couple of photos, which is a little cheap but nevertheless sufficient. The entire package occupies far less space than a single cd jewel case yet still possesses a printed spine for easy storage - if you collected all the releases in this series they would look great as a collection and still occupy practically no shelf space at all.UPDATE: I've discovered these individual releases ARE from a box set!  Maria Callas Remastered (The Complete Studio Recordings 1949-1969)  Looks like this will be my next big purchase!Overall, a must buy for seasoned operaphiles and novices alike - great artistry, beautifully presented

Let's get the missing bits out of the way first, no fragile jewel case: no glossy libretto. And what do you get - a cardboard sleeve with paper disc covers (just like it was in the days of vinyl), a glossy-ish note in four languages & a performance to die for. 'Nuff said & at this price one can probably find a libretto somewhere on the net & the loss of a plastic case means it don't take up as much space on the shelf & it's definitely worth it.

A spectacular recording of a fascinating historical performance. This recording came late in Maria Callas' career, when her voice was in clear decline. Whilst not as intense as the earlier De Sabata mono recording, this does benefit from her many years of experience singing the part - and came shortly after her highly-acclaimed Covent Garden performance. This is therefore a more mature performance, and the excellent stereo sound helps to make up for any vocal shortcomings. Highly recommended.

What a fine recording! Callas gives a wonderful Tosca here - with her long experience in the role she is able to give a very great portrait of Floria Tosca. Her involvment is so great that it doesn't matter that her vocal performance not can be compared with her 1953 recording. This is a recording not to be overlooked (as it unjustly has been!).

I've listened to a few sopranos sing this beautiful role, but Callas is the only one that can truly bring it to life. She owned this role and she still does. Tito Gobbi is an outstanding Scarpia and Carlo Bergonzi delivers a flawless Mario. Highly recommended

Superb remastering, far better than the previous one. Callas is past her peak but who cares, and no more sliced in high notes.

good quality, quick delivery.