Gluck: Alceste

Album Description

Experience the legendary Maria Callas in a stunning live performance of Christoph Willibald Gluck's "Alceste," remastered for modern listeners. This album captures Callas' iconic 1954 performance at La Scala, Milan, showcasing her extraordinary vocal prowess and dramatic intensity. The opera, conducted by the renowned Carlo Maria Giulini and accompanied by the Orchestra e Coro del Teatro alla Scala, is presented in its Italian version, offering a unique perspective on Gluck's masterpiece.

Spanning nearly two hours, this live recording features a stellar cast, including Renato Gavarini as Admeto, Paolo Silveri, Rolando Panerai, and Nicola Zaccaria in supporting roles. The album is part of the prestigious Warner Classics "Maria Callas Live Remastered" series, ensuring the highest audio quality and historical significance.

"Alceste" is a testament to Callas' artistry and her enduring legacy as one of the greatest opera singers of all time. This remastered release allows both longtime admirers and new listeners to appreciate the power and beauty of her voice, as well as the rich musical heritage of Gluck's opera. The album's 35 tracks cover the entire opera, from the stirring overture to the dramatic finales, providing a comprehensive and captivating listening experience.

15 september 2017

℗ 2017 Digital Remastering Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company

About Christoph Willibald Gluck

Christoph Willibald Gluck, a pioneering figure in the world of opera, bridged the gap between the Baroque and Classical eras with his innovative and dramatic compositions. Born in the Upper Palatinate and raised in Bohemia, Gluck's journey took him from the courts of Europe to the stages of Italy and France, where he revolutionized operatic practices. His groundbreaking works, such as "Orfeo ed Euridice" and "Alceste," broke away from the dominant opera seria style, introducing more dramatic storytelling and orchestral depth. Gluck's reforms, which included the use of orchestral recitative and the reduction of lengthy da capo arias, laid the foundation for the future of opera, influencing composers like Mozart and Berlioz. With a career spanning nearly five decades and a catalog of 49 operas, Gluck's legacy as a trailblazer in the world of classical music is undeniable.