{"product_id":"callas-verdi-rigoletto-1955-paco131","title":"CALLAS Verdi: Rigoletto (1955) - PACO131","description":"overviewfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D770D90\"\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D770EC0\"\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D770FF0\"\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D771840\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bodybigblue\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eVERDI \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eRigoletto\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D770D90\"\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D770EC0\"\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D770FF0\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D772E90\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bodysmallarial\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12px;\"\u003eStudio recording, 1955\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12px;\"\u003eTotal duration: 1hr 57:57 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eRigoletto\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003e - Tito Gobbi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eGilda\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003e - Maria Callas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eDuca di Mantova\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003e - Giuseppe di Stefano\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eSparafucile\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003e - Nicola Zaccaria\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eTullio Serafin, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003econductor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data_liveedit_tagid=\"000000000D775470\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class=\"body\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eChorus and Orchestra of La Scala, Milan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_titlefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fFanfare Review578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_quotefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fStill the top choice even if you buy another more modern edition578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_bodyfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"B\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"TIMES\"\u003e“Once heard, this rendering is never\nlikely to be forgotten,” is the still the judgment of the majority of\nmusic critics, and there is no need to change this verdict yet. Here in\nthis freshly minted transfer, the reasons are if anything even clearer\nwhy this \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"TIMESi\"\u003eRigoletto \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"TIMES\"\u003eremains\nthe standard by which all others must follow. That said, despite what\nused to be called the standard theatrical cuts and sound which—although\nmuch clearer than before—is still 60 years old and not even genuine\nstereo, the younger amongst you might still say, “Well, why choose this\nversion when Milnes, Cappuccilli, Domingo, and Pavarotti are all out\nthere?” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"B\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"TIMES\"\u003eThe reasons are immediately obvious:\nSerafin, Callas, and Gobbi. Serafin paces like he has done it all his\nlife, which of course he had—from the gentle accompaniment of “Piangi,\npiangi” to the quickening roar of “Si, vendetta.” All is right and\nproper. Next is Tito Gobbi in the title role. Just listen to the\ncontrast in the repetitions of “La ra la ra” and then to follow the\nsadness and desperation in “Dove l’avran nascosta?” (Where has she been\nhidden?) With plenty of vibrato when he finally admits the courtiers\nhave kidnapped his daughter—the frustration, the regret—it’s all there.\nThe violent beginning of “Cortigiani” and the pleading second half of\nthe aria all beautifully acted with the voice. One can “see” the emotion\nfrom one of the really great singers of the 20th century—a golden voice\nindeed. There are so many touches of individuality in this performance.\n“Un vindice avrai” is sung with an open and angry tone and you can see\nthe eyes glaring and the angry expression before coming down to the “Si,\nvendetta.” This is tremendous. To adapt Callas expert John Ardoin’s\nview—Gobbi and Callas draw strength from the text and do so with such\nmodel diction that “we all but taste Piave’s words.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"B\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"TIMESi\"\u003eRigoletto\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"TIMES\"\u003e\nwas recorded in 1955, during which Callas was at her absolute peak. She\nsings delicately throughout, honing down the voice to great effect in\n“Caro nome.” Her duets with Gobbi are just magical and “Tutte le feste”\nblends in. The tenderness she exhibits in the whole of the last scene\nwith her father beginning “V’ho ingannato” and for example the slight\nextension of “O mio padre” is acting with the voice of the highest\ncaliber. Is there another soprano who characterizes like this? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"B\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"TIMES\"\u003eThere is a but, and that but is Di\nStefano. By 1955, although he was still in fine voice, his singing had\nbecome more open and “Questa o quella” is charmless—try Gigli in 1938,\nlive from Covent Garden. “La donna e mobile” has a lovely diminuendo in\nthe middle but is hardly a classy piece of singing, despite the face and\npresence he undoubtedly supplies in abundance throughout. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"Br\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"TIMES\"\u003eThis transfer, an ambient stereo\ntransfer from Pristine, opens up the orchestra successfully. The brass\nin the Overture shine out as they have not done before, lifting the\ntension; however, there is still some inherent distortion in the\nrecording. This package is on two CDs with an attractive picture of\nCallas on the cover. There is no libretto. For two towering vocal\nfigures from the last century and a conductor who knew everything about\npacing, this set is still the top choice even if you buy another more\nmodern edition. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"TIMESb\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDavid Cutler\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThis article originally appeared in Issue 40:1 (Sept\/Oct 2016) of Fanfare Magazine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9main_samplefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fsamples\/PACO131.mp3578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fProducer's Note578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcontent578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCallas and Gobbi's classic 1955 Rigoletto in a superb new XR remaster\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"That\none recording should continue to hold sway over many other attractive\ncomers after so long is simply a tribute to Callas, Gobbi, Serafin and\nWalter Legge\" - Gramophone, 2015\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetween the summer of 1954 and September 1955, the legendary EMI\nproducer Walter Legge recorded no less than six full operas at La Scala,\nMilan, with Maria Callas in a leading role. Rigoletto was the sixth of\nthese. It is almost impossible to imagine such a productive work-rate\ntoday, and yet this amazingly productive period, with Callas at the\nheight of her powers, produced some of the defining recordings of the\noperatic canon - not least the present offering. The recording team were\nby now exceptionally familiar with the venue, and in an era of mono\nrecording where the primary concern was capturing the voices and\nbalancing them against the instruments, rather than the stereo\npresentation of a staged drama that would soon follow, it was no doubt\neasier to make these recordings than it would later become.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNevertheless, it took 13 days to record \u003cem\u003eRigoletto\u003c\/em\u003e, and in\nthis restoration I've encountered minor differences in recordings made\non different days - slightly intrusive traffic noise here, peak\ndistortion there - which I've hopefully dealt with to the listener's\nsatisfaction.Some minor pitch discrepancies have been ironed out. But\nthe main contribution here has been to open out the sound and lift\nsomething of a veil from the performance, with Ambient Stereo XR\nremastering bringing a greater sense of life, clarity and immediacy to\nthe proceedings throughout. Can it really be 60 years since this\nrecording was first released?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAndrew Rose\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fFull Cast Listing578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5ftrack_listing578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVERDI\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eRigoletto\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bodybigblue\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eRecorded 3-16 September 1955\u003cbr\u003eTeatro alla Scala, Milan\u003cbr\u003eRecording producer: Walter Legge\u003cbr\u003eRecording Engineer: Robert Beckett\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCAST\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eRigoletto - \u003cb\u003eTito Gobbi\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGilda - \u003cb\u003eMaria Callas\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDuca di Mantova -\u003cb\u003e Giuseppe di Stefano\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSparafucile - \u003cb\u003eNicola Zaccaria\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaddalena - \u003cb\u003eAdriana Lazzarini\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGiovanna - \u003cb\u003eGiuse Gerbino\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMonterone - \u003cb\u003ePlinio Clabassi\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarullo - \u003cb\u003eWilliam Dickie\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBorsa - \u003cb\u003eRenato Ercolani\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConte di Ceprano - \u003cb\u003eCarlo Forti\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eContessa di Ceprano - \u003cb\u003eElvira Galassi\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUn usciere - \u003cb\u003eVittorio Tatozzi\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUn paggio - \u003cb\u003eLuisa Mandelli\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCoro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Milano\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTullio Serafin\u003c\/b\u003e, conductor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fCover Art578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcover_art578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcovers\/thumbs\/PACO131.jpg578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcovers\/PACO131.pdf578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f","brand":"Pristine Classical","offers":[{"title":"Ambient Stereo 24-bit FLAC","offer_id":44064779206746,"sku":"lgd1789304792821","price":29.33,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ambient Stereo 16-bit FLAC","offer_id":44064779239514,"sku":"rwf1789304792822","price":19.15,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"320kbps Ambient Stereo MP3","offer_id":44064779272282,"sku":"dyu1789304792823","price":12.53,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/3807\/0874\/files\/callas-verdi-rigoletto-1955---paco131_1.jpg?v=1789304799","url":"https:\/\/vestorawear.shop\/products\/callas-verdi-rigoletto-1955-paco131","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}