Anna Bolena

Callas sings the paint off the walls. Simionato is very good, Rossi-Lemeni less so but there's an interesting thing in that a very good (Pristine) remastering of the I Puritani changes the perception of his voice substantially, I think recordings didn't do him justice.Reviewers need to tell the truth, the Smeton wouldn't pass muster in a community Gilbert and Sullivan production. Really miserable, but small role.I do not care for this opera, no matter how hard I try I do not find the material pleasant or memorable. My same reaction to Maria Stuarda, having seen it, heard recordings and DVDs. Donizetti is found wanting in comparison to Bellini, I'd pony up for the Lucia sextet and certainly the last scene as per DiStefano in the old live recordings with von Karajan (some of the greatest tenor singing ever), but in general, it's all too general.So I think the sound is adequate for what was supposed to be a troubled recording and Callas should be heard.

I'm not going to bother reviewing this performance, since it is the same one that is presented on the EMI Callas Edition noted on these pages, as well asthe considerably less expensive Opera d'Oro set (also seen on these pages as well). What IS important here is the sound, which is far superior to the EMI, and perhaps even better than the Opera d'Oro set, which I reviewed some time ago. I feel that Myto has taken much more effort in securing their masters of Callas performances than EMI has. EMI probably rightfully feels that anything with the immortal diva's name on it will sell, which it will.But here we can hear the performance in the best sound thus far. I don't see how it can get better than this. If you have the EMI version, get rid of it and buy this one. If you love Callas as much as I do, you won't regret it.

Es maravilloso poder disfrutar de estas grandes artistas mas de 50 años después de su interpretación en esta opera

Fabulous! It is like being struck by lightening, a wrenching, exhilarating experience. Maria Callas is the prima donna assoluta del mondo.

this is a fantastic recording from the concert on La Scala 1957

Although this MYTO transfer is worlds better than the EMI set, there is a new version that sweeps the field. A firm called Divina Records whose aim is to issue Callas performances in the best sound has issued this Anna Bolena performance based on the tapes used for the BJR LPs (BJR had the very best sound of Callas on LP). The set by Divina is more expensive than the MYTO but comes with extensive documentation including photos, reviews and press clippings. If you want the best - get the Divina set!!!!

I quite agree with the earlier reviewer that the sound quality of this MYTO recording far exceeds that of the remastered EMI recording of the same opera. Callas is superb as Anna Bolena, and even though there are other modern recordings of Anna Bolena by Sutherland and Sills, to name a few, this is my favorite by far. Nobody can quite match the pathos that Callas injects into the role, which is so beautifully reflected in her unique, expressive voice.

Ich habe diese Oper in der Wiener Staatsoper mit Netrebko und Garanca gesehen, hervorragend gesungen, aberin dieser Aufnahme hat man trotz der schlechten Aufnahmequalität das Gefühl, daß die Sängerinnen der beidenHauptrollen ihre Partien wirklich erleben. Emotion pur!

La 1ère Anna de la grande Leyla en 58 au sommet de son art. Mais les années passent.....Gavazzeni fait des coupures judicieuses (sur un opéra un peu long ?) pour resserrer le drame. Une version à ne pas manquer !

Leider wird diese Oper viel zu wenig gespielt. Maria Callas ist eine großartige Anna,Gulietta Simionato als Seymour kann meiner Meinung nach durchaus mithalten. Mich begeistert diese Life Aufnahme, die Begeisterung des Publikums. Da möchte ich am liebsten mitklatschen

Als absoluter Callas-Fan bin ich einfach nur begeistert.Die Abwicklung des gesamten Auftrags kann ich nur als vorzüglich bewerten.Mit dieser Aufnahme haben Sie mir und meiner Frau eine große Freude bereitet.Danke und frdl. GrüßeRolf Mohr