Giuseppe di Stefano

“Di Stefano is here in very good form indeed … He can still thrill with his power and can also be irresistibly tender in his soft singing.” Gramophone Magazine

“Callas’s singing and acting is the principal glory here … There is a uniquely compelling quality about everything that she does.” Gramophone Magazine

“there are few [conductors] that have the unerring sense of pace and unostentatious musicianship that Serafin brings to these recordings...Callas is mighty impressive as both Santuzza and Nedda - a commanding vocal presence whose vibrant sense of drama and musical line more than makes up for any superficial lack of beauty....she brings something uniquely compelling to both” International Record Review, January 2011

“Callas may present a rather formidable portrait of a young girl in Act 1, but here the final act is far more than an epilogue to the rest, rather a culmination, with Callas at her very peak. Di Stefano too is in superb form and Serafin’s pacing of the score is masterly.” Gramophone Magazine

“Callas, as always, takes a completely individual approach to this opera...it certainly demands attention...this recording has plenty going for it, not only from Callas but also the sterling (if not exactly subtle) contribution of Di Stefano, and Serafin's idiomatic conducting.” International Record Review, January 2011

“Callas catches the development of Manon's character from naive acquisitiveness to desperation with unfailing insight. Di Stefano makes a worthy Des Grieux, and Serafin is the most reliable of Puccini conductors.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2011 *****