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Cherubini: Medea

Maria Callas (Medea), Jon Vickers (Giasone), Fiorenza Cossotto (Neris), Nicola Zaccaria (Creonte), Joan Carlyle (Glauce), Mary Wells (First Maidservant), Elizabeth Rust (Second Maidservant) & David Allen (Captain of the Guard)

The Covent Garden Opera Chorus & Orchestra, Nicola Rescigno

[This version] would have small claims to be authentic...What is authentic is the passion and intensity that Callas brings to would become one of her greatest roles...The supporting cast is equal... — BBC Music Magazine, December 2013, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 2nd Sep 2013
Catalogue No: ICAC5110
Label: ica classics
Series: Legacy
Length: 2 hours 9 minutes

Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days

Cherubini: Medea, Act I

Work length54:26

$15.00

$19.50

Maria Callas (soprano), Joan Carlyle (soprano), Fiorenza Cossotto (mezzo-soprano), Jon Vickers (tenor), Nicola Zaccaria (bass), Mary Wells (soprano), Elizabeth Rust (soprano), David Allen (baritone)
Royal Opera House Chorus, Covent Garden, Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden
Nicola Rescigno
Recorded: 30 June 1959
Recording Venue: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, UK

Overture

Track length6:48

$1.00

$1.30

Introduction. Che? Quando già corona (Ancelle, Chorus, Glauce)

Track length6:59

$1.00

$1.30

Aria. O Amore, vieni a me (Glauce)

Track length4:53

$1.00

$1.30

Recitative. No, non temer (Creonte, Glauce, Giasone)

Track length2:16

$1.00

$1.30

March and Chorus. O bella Glauce (Chorus, Glauce)

Track length2:27

$1.00

$1.30

Recitative. Colco! Pensier fatal (Glauce, Giasone, Creonte)

Track length1:54

$1.00

$1.30

Aria. Or che più non vedrò (Giasone)

Track length3:16

$1.00

$1.30

Recitative. Ah, già troppo turbò (Creonte)

Track length0:44

$1.00

$1.30

Trio and Chorus. Pronube dive (Creonte, Chorus, Glauce, Giasone)

Track length5:36

$1.00

$1.30

Recitative. Signor! Ferma una donna (Capo delle Guardie, Creonte, Medea, Giasone, Glauce, Chorus)

Track length4:14

$1.00

$1.30

Qui tremar devi tu (Creonte, Glauce, Chorus)

Track length2:02

$1.00

$1.30

Recitative. Taci, Giason (Medea, Giasone)

Track length2:56

$1.00

$1.30

Dei tuoi figli la madre (Medea)

Track length5:08

$1.00

$1.30

Recitative. Son vane qui minacce (Giasone)

Track length0:32

$1.00

$1.30

Duetto. Nemici senza cor (Medea, Giasone)

Track length4:41

$1.00

$1.30

Cherubini: Medea, Act II

Work length44:42

$12.00

$15.55

Maria Callas (soprano), Joan Carlyle (soprano), Fiorenza Cossotto (mezzo-soprano), Jon Vickers (tenor), Nicola Zaccaria (bass), Mary Wells (soprano), Elizabeth Rust (soprano), David Allen (baritone)
Royal Opera House Chorus, Covent Garden, Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden
Nicola Rescigno
Recorded: 30 June 1959
Recording Venue: Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, UK

Introduction

Track length1:49

$1.00

$1.30

Recitative. Soffrir non posso (Medea, Neris, Creonte)

Track length2:58

$1.00

$1.30

Concertato. Data almen, per pietà (Medea, Creonte, Neris, Chorus)

Track length11:21

$3.00

$3.85

Recitative. Medea! o Medea! (Neris)

Track length1:34

$1.00

$1.30

Solo un pianto con te versare (Neris)

Track length6:46

$1.00

$1.30

Recitative. Creonte a me solo (Medea, Neris, Giasone)

Track length2:39

$1.00

$1.30

Figli miei, miei tesor (Medea, Giasone)

Track length6:40

$1.00

$1.30

Recitative. Hai dato pronto (Medea, Neris)

Track length1:31

$1.00

$1.30

March and Chorus. Ah! Triste canto! (Medea, Chorus, Creonte, Glauce, Giasone)

Track length9:24

$2.00

$2.60

Cherubini: Medea, Act III

Work length30:29

$7.00

$9.05

Maria Callas (soprano), Joan Carlyle (soprano), Fiorenza Cossotto (mezzo-soprano), Jon Vickers (tenor), Nicola Zaccaria (bass), Mary Wells (soprano), Elizabeth Rust (soprano), David Allen (baritone)
Royal Opera House Chorus, Covent Garden, Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden
Nicola Rescigno

Introduction

Track length4:29

$1.00

$1.30

Recitative. Numi, venite a me (Medea, Neris)

Track length4:55

$1.00

$1.30

Aria. Del fiero duol (Medea)

Track length5:26

$1.00

$1.30

Neris, che hai fatto (Medea, Neris)

Track length1:53

$1.00

$1.30

Finale. E che? Io son Medea! (Medea)

Track length13:46

$3.00

$3.85

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About

Maria Callas (1923–1977) was one of the most renowned opera singers of the twentieth century. Critics praised her bel canto technique, wide-ranging voice and dramatic gifts. Her repertoire ranged from classical opera seria to the bel canto operas of Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini; 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.

Her dramatic life and personal tragedy have often overshadowed Callas the artist in the popular press. However, her artistic achievements were such that Leonard Bernstein called her ‘The Bible of opera’, and her influence was so enduring that, in 2006, Opera News wrote of her: ‘Nearly thirty years after her death, she's still the definition of the diva as artist – and still one of classical music’s best-selling vocalists.’

Callas first performed Cherubini's Medea in 1953 and then again in the 1953–4 La Scala season with Leonard Bernstein. She continued to perform Medea during the 1950s and 1960s, most famously in Dallas and in London in 1959 conducted by Nicola Rescigno and featuring the young Jon Vickers.

This recording of the performance on 30 June 1959 at the Royal Opera House received rave reviews. The Times wrote of the first night (June 17), ‘It is this play of conflicting, oscillating, burning feelings that is the core of the opera … and it is this fluctuation which Callas can convey with unique art.’ George Mayer in the American Record Guide wrote, ‘Callas builds her performance into one powerful line of increasing tension. It is the kind of performance which spoils one for anything less from the opera stage.’

Callas has a very strong supporting cast of Jon Vickers (Giasone), Fiorenza Cossotto (Neris) and Nicola Zaccaria (Creonte).

Other versions of the Covent Garden Medea exist but ICA Classics have very carefully remastered some new tapes which have produced excellent sound for their period.

ICA Classics’ recording of Verdi's La traviata with Callas (ICAC5006) is now considered by the critics to be her best version on the market.

Reviews

December 2013

[This version] would have small claims to be authentic...What is authentic is the passion and intensity that Callas brings to would become one of her greatest roles...The supporting cast is equal to the best, with tenor Jon Vickers an outstanding Jason and soprano Joan Carlyle a lovely Glauce.

January 2014

[Vickers sings] with a tonal beauty not always present in his later Siegmunds, Tristans and Samsons. Callas herself...is in terrific form in a role whose lower tessitura was beginning to suit her well...The support is strong...A worthwhile addition to the historical catalogue in as good a sound as possible.

2nd December 2013

Callas herself gives little evidence of any vocal deterioration...she is suffering womanhood incarnate. The whole is expansively and dramatically conducted by Rescigno...If you don’t already own the Dallas performance, this is the one to have if you want to hear La Divina in finest form in a favourite role and worthily accompanied.

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Cherubini: Medea

2 CDs

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