Maria Callas is the ultimate and original diva. Widely regarded as the greatest opera singer and performer of all time, whose life, voice and performances have intrigued, thrilled and inspired all others.

34 years after her death, Maria Callas remains the definition of a diva. She is not only the world's bestselling soprano but also EMI Classic's bestselling artist of all time. Widely regarded for her intense characterisation and unique interpretations, she has become a cultural icon whose music and life continues to influence today.

“Her reputation, extremely high when she died, has become ever greater in the years since her death. As a personality she remains controversial, but as an artist hardly at all: her genius is recognised as supreme by virtually all opera lovers, indeed it is often from listening to her many recordings that people discover what an incredibly potent art form opera can be.” - BBC Music Magazine

This wonderfully constructed 2CD collection of opera arias highlights Callas’s spectacular climb to fame, tracking her move from innocent young woman to the tragic heroine in her later years, through the opera arias she recorded.

Featuring the most special and exquisitely interpreted arias of her output, this collection brings together such opera favourites as O mio babbino caro, Vissi d’arte and Casta diva.

Contents:
CD 1
1. Il Barbiere di Siviglia - Una voce poco fa
2. I vespri Siciliani - Mercè, dilette amiche (Bolero)
3. Gianni Schicchi - O mio babbino caro
4. Act I - Sì. Mi chiamano Mimì
5. Scene 2 - Gualtier Maldè ...Caro nome (Gilda/Borsa/Ceprano/Marullo)
6. La Traviata - Ah, fors'è lui
7. Lakmé - Où va la jeune indoue (Bell Song)
8. Faust - Un bouquet!...Ah! je ris (Jewel song)
9. Samson et Dalila - Samson, recherchant ma présence...Amour! viens aider ma faiblesse!
10. Act I - L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera)
11. Mignon - Ah, pour ce soir...Je suis Titania (Polonaise)
12. Alceste - Divinités du Styx
13. Norma - Casta Diva
14. Macbeth - La luce langue
15. Act II - In questa Reggia

CD 2
1. Act II - Vissi d'arte (Tosca)
2. Act II - Un bel di vedremo
3. Suor Angelica, 'Sister Angelica' - Senza mamma, O bimbo
4. La Wally - Ebben?...Ne andrò lontana
5. Andrea Chenier - La mamma morta
6. Act 4 Scene One - D'amor sull'ali rosee (Leonora)
7. Il Pirata - ... Col sorriso d'innocenza (Act 2)
8. Ernani - Surta è la notte .... Ernani! Ernani, involami
9. Aida - Ritorna vincitor (Act I)
10. Carmen - Carreau! Pique! (Card Scene)
11. Don Giovanni, K.527 - In quali eccessi, O Numi!...Mi tradi quell'alma ingrata
12. Don Carlo - Tu che le vanità
13. Act 4 - Suicidio!
14. Act 4 - Sola, perduta, abbandonata