Cherubini - Medea
£22.75 £18.20
save £4.55 (20%)
special offer ending 25/06/2024
In stock - available for despatch within 1 working day
Despatch Information
This despatch estimate is based on information from both our own stock and the UK supplier's stock.
If ordering multiple items, we will aim to send everything together so the longest despatch estimate will apply to the complete order.
If you would rather receive certain items more quickly, please place them on a separate order.
If any unexpected delays occur, we will keep you informed of progress via email and not allow other items on the order to be held up.
If you would prefer to receive everything together regardless of any delay, please let us know via email.
Pre-orders will be despatched as close as possible to the release date.
Label: ICA Classics
Cat No: ICAC5110
Format: CD
Number of Discs: 2
Genre: Opera
Release Date: 2nd September 2013
Contents
Artists
Maria CallasJon Vickers
Fiorenza Cossotto
Nicola Zaccaria
Joan Carlyle
Mary Wells
Elizabeth Rust
David Allen
Covent Garden Opera Chorus & Orchestra
Conductor
Nicola RescignoWorks
MedeaArtists
Maria CallasJon Vickers
Fiorenza Cossotto
Nicola Zaccaria
Joan Carlyle
Mary Wells
Elizabeth Rust
David Allen
Covent Garden Opera Chorus & Orchestra
Conductor
Nicola RescignoAbout
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.
Cast:
- Medea: Maria Callas
- Giasone: Jon Vickers
- Neris: Fiorenza Cossotto
- Creonte: Nicola Zaccaria
- Glauce: Joan Carlyle
- First Maidservant: Mary Wells
- Second Maidservant: Elizabeth Rust
- Captain of the Guard: David Allen
Error on this page? Let us know here
Need more information on this product? Click here