Listen to a Sample:

Pros:

• To say that this recording is "legendary" is almost an understatement. Maria Callas, in the title role, is a revelation. At 27-years-old, her voice was flawless, fearlessly soaring up to high notes, including, famously, the E-flat at the end of Act II.
• The rest of the cast is right at Callas's level. Mario Del Monaco is unapologetic about allowing the audience to bask in his ringing tenor sound even if at times it seems like he was stopping the show for a high note. (It's opera at its most decadent.)
• Oralia Domínguez is thrilling as Amneris, delivering gleaming high notes while chewing the scenery to thrilling effect.
• Giuseppe Taddei lends his booming, yet elegant, baritone to the role of Amonasro.

Cons:

• Aside from an enthusiastic prompter, the sound is decent.

In Mono

OD 12008-2