Argentina Hotels Travel - Bellini: I Puritani

The feeling Maria Callas injects into Elvira's words (Qui la voce...o rendete mi) is unbelievable! I usually prefer her in exciting cabalettas but here she is superb! M. Caballe is the only other soprano I can thing of, who could ever be so moving in Bellini's music (she recorded the opera with Kraus but unfortunately, a bit late in her career). In the faster, "firework", sections, Callas is exciting if not as brilliant as J. Sutherland. Di Stefano is heard here in his short-lived prime with a voice of exceptional warmth and beauty! The "a te, o cara" fully epitomises this legendary tenor. His uncovered high notes already annoy sometimes but after all, these belonged to his style of singing. Panerai also had a handsome voice and he definitely is a plus in this recording.

Should this be your only studio Puritani recording? No because it's incomplete, in monophonic sound and the second Sutherland recording, complete and with an all-star, bel-canto expert cast is available. On the other hand, Serafin's reading of the score, the young Callas and Di Stefano are a marvel to listen to and make this EMI set a must! Note that this release offers no libretto but the price is great!