Maria Callas - Puccini Turandot (2023) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

"This is not a good recording": this is how the well-known Viennese theater critic Karl Löbl judges this old Legge production from July 1957, which was originally edited by the EMI. The conductor seems "too good for him", Maria Callas, according to his impression, "obviously does not feel comfortable vocally in this part" and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf "does not fit in with the rest of the ensemble".
With all due respect to the experienced and accomplished critic Löbl: There is a contradiction to be registered here. At the time of the recording, Maria Callas is still at the height of her vocal abilities, and if she may not be able to make the title role quite as frightening as Birgit Nilsson in her various recordings, she still offers a very conclusive picture of the ice-cold, unapproachable princess. In the final scene, she needs absolutely no comparison to shy away from, it's not more impressive and brilliant to sing that. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf is certainly not an experienced and certainly not a born Puccini interpreter, but in the role of Liù she gives a convincing portrait of this unfortunate character. Her fine, silver-bright soprano poignantly traces the death scene.
However, Löbl has to agree with Eugenio Fernandi's assessment of the Kalaf: the tenor sings with a powerful, metallic voice, but his role portrait remains strangely pale and can in no way keep up with the performances of a Corelli and especially a Björling. Nevertheless, I would not go so far as to speak of a smooth miscast. The Timur gets a convincing performance with Nicola Zaccaria, and the other Comprimarii can also be heard very well throughout.
The choir and orchestra of La Scala in Milan are experienced ensembles in the field of Italian opera, and Tullio Serafin is not only a great connoisseur of his profession, but he can be recognized here as a sensitive, sensitive interpreter of Puccini's last score.
The text supplement is quite excellent, it is mainly tailored to the singer of the title role, but also contains the full Italian libretto with translation into several languages, including German.
Sonically, it is to be regretted that the recording from 1957 could not yet benefit from the stereo technology. This may have to do with the fact that the producer Walter Legge was initially skeptical of this revolutionary innovation. The mono sound is decent, but not optimal. That makes me hesitate to give five stars.

TRACKLIST

1. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Popolo di Pekino!" (Mandarino, Coro, Liù)
2. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Padre! Mio padre!" (Calaf, Liù, Coro, Timur)
3. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Perduta la battaglia" (Calaf, Liù, Coro, Timur)
4. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Gira la cote! Gira!" (Coro)
5. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Perché tarda la luna?" (Coro)
6. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Là, sui monti dell'est" (Coro)
7. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "O giovinetto!" (Coro, Calaf)
8. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Figlio, che fai?" (Timur, Calaf, Liù, Coro)
9. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Fermo! che fai? T'arresta!" (Coro, Calaf, Pong, Pang, Ping)
10. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Silenzio, ola!" (Le ancelle di Turandot, Coro, Calaf)
11. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Guardalo, Pong!" (Coro, Timur)
12. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Non indugiare!" (Coro, Pong, Pang, Ping, Calaf, Timur)
13. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Signore, ascolta!" (Liù)
14. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Non piangere, Liù!" (Calaf, Liù, Timur)
15. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 1: "Ah! per l'ultima volta!" (Timur, Liù, Coro, Calaf, Ping)
16. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Ola, Pang! Ola, Pong!" (Ping, Pong, Pang)
17. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "O Cina, o Cina" (Ping, Coro, Pong, Pang)
18. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Ho una casa nell’Honan" (Ping, Pong, Pang, Coro)
19. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "O mondo, pieno di pazzi innamorati!" (Coro, Ping, Pong, Pang)
20. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Addio, amore! Addio, razza!" (Coro, Pong, Pang, Ping)
21. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Noi si sogna" (Ping, Pang, Pong, Coro)
22. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Gravi, enormi ed imponenti" (Coro)
23. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Un giuramento atroce mi costringe" (Imperatore)
24. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Figlio del cielo" (Imperatore, Calaf)
25. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Diecimila anni al nostro Imperatore!" (Coro)
26. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 2: "In questa reggia" (Turandot, Calaf, Coro)
27. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 2: "Straniero, ascolta! Nella cupa notte" (Turandot, Calaf, Coro)
28. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 2: "Guizza al pari di fiamma" (Turandot, Imperatore, Coro, Liù, Calaf)
29. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 2: "Gelo che ti dà foco" (Turandot, Calaf, Coro)
30. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Gloria, o vincitore!" (Coro)
31. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 2: "Figlio del cielo!" (Turandot, Emperor, Coro, Calaf)
32. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Tre enigmi m’hai proposto!" (Calaf, Imperatore)
33. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 2: "Ai tuoi piedi ci prostriam" (Coro)
34. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 3: "Così comanda Turandot" (Coro)
35. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 3: "Nessum dorma!" (Calaf, Coro)
36. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 3: "Tu ce guardi le stelle" (Ping, Pong, Pang, Coro, Calaf)
37. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 3: "Principessa divina!" (Ping, Turandot, Calaf, Liù, Coro)
38. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 3: "Quel nome!" (Ping, Liù, Timur, Calaf, Coro, Turandot)
39. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 3: "L'amore?" - "Tanto amore, segreto e inconfessato" (Turandot, Liù, Ping, Calaf, Coro)
40. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 3: "Tu, che di gei sei cinta" (Calaf, Liù, Coro)
41. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 3: "Liù… Liù… Sorgi!" (Coro, Timur, Ping)
42. Tullio Serafin - Turandot, Act 3: "Liù…bontà!" (Timur, Ping, Pang, Pong, Coro)
43. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 3: "Principessa di morte!" (Calaf, Turandot)
44. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 3: "Che è mai di me? Perduta!" (Turandot, Calaf, Coro)
45. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 3: "Del primo pianto" (Turandot, Calaf)
46. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 3: "La mia gloria" (Turandot, Calaf)
47. Maria Callas - Turandot, Act 3: "Diecimila anni al nostro Imperatore!" (Coro, Turandot) (SHRM 96_24)



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