Since you are interested in Puccini: Madama Butterfly (Complete opera recorded in 1955), here is a list of other items that you may find interesting.
W. A. MOZART
Così fan tutte, K588 (complete opera recorded in 1934-35) Ina Souez, Luise Helletsgrüber, Heddle Nash / Chorus & Orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival, Fritz Busch [ Naxos Great Opera Recordings / 2 CD - released 20/Aug/2011 ] Recorded 1934-35 |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Rigoletto (complete opera recorded in 1955) [with other operatic excerpts featuring Robert Merrill] Jussi Bjorling (tenor) Roberta Peters (soprano) / Robert Merrill (baritone) / Rome Opera Chorus & Orchestra / Jonel Perlea [ Naxos Historical Opera / 2 CD - released 1/Jul/2008 ] When this 1956 recording of Rigoletto was first released in Britain, The Gramophone reviewer commented: "under Perlea, the orchestral playing is firm and dramatic, well balanced with the voice. |
BELLINI
La Sonnambula (Complete opera recorded in 1957) [with arias by Cherubini & Spontini] Maria Callas / Fiorenza Cossotto / Nicola Zaccaria / Nicola Monti / Milan La Scala Orchestra / Antonino Votto (Conductor) [ Naxos Historical Great Operas / 2 CD - released 2/Feb/2009 ] "Worth buying: economically, artistically and historically" (MusicWeb March 2009) |
BELLINI
Norma (Complete Opera recorded in 1954) Maria Callas / Mario Filippeschi / Ebe Stignani / Nicola Rossi-Lemeni / Chorus And Orchestra Of La Scala, Milan / Tullio Serafin [ Naxos Historical Great Opera Performances / 3 CD - released 22/Sep/2007 ] "The manner in which Callas colours her voice and the way she moves through the vocal register is very individual and not to every taste. If it is to yours then this Naxos realisation of the 1954 studio recording is in the best sound I have so far... |
VERDI
Il Trovatore (complete opera recorded in 1956) Maria Callas, Nicola Zaccaria, Giuseppe di Stefano / Milan La Scala Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan [ Naxos Historical Opera / 2 CD - released 10/Feb/2008 ] Before Maria Callas made this August 1956 recording of Il Trovatore, at La Scala, Milan, she had been singing it often since 1950 and with notable success. Her 1953 Covent Garden performances earned golden opinions. The Times critic considered the... |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Puccini: Turandot (Complete opera recorded in 1957) Maria Callas / Renato Ercolani / Mario Borriello / Elisabeth Schwarzkopf / Milan La Scala Orchestra / Tullio Serafin (Conductor) [ Naxos Historical Great Operas / 2 CD - released 2/Feb/2009 ] Puccini's Turandot , first performed in 1926, was the only work in which Callas sang that was younger than herself and is a perfect vehicle for a dramatic soprano with a steady, steely and brilliant voice capable of rising to top C.Although she had... |
PUCCINI / CILEA / GIORDANO / CATALANI / BOITO
Puccini Heroines / Lyric Arias (recorded 1954) Maria Callas (soprano) / Philharmonia Orchestra / Tullio Serafin, conductor [ Naxos Historical / CD - released 14/Feb/2008 ] 1954 was for Callas an exceptionally busy year. As well as appearing regularly at La Scala, Milan, and elsewhere in Italy, she made her American début at the Chicago Lyric in November. |
PUCCINI
Manon Lescaut (complete opera) Miriam Gauel / Vincente Sardinero / Kaludi Kalundoy / BRT Philharmonic Chorus & Orchestra / Alexander Rahbari [ Naxos Opera Classics / 2 CD Box Set - released 1/Jun/2008 ] "Naxos has distinguished itself over the past few years by a series of new opera recordings of a consistently high quality at enticingly affordable prices. This time, though, Naxos has surpassed itself...At Naxos prices, why deny yourself the... |