I am not an expert in Opera and in 1958 when this footage was taken, knew nothing about it. At that time, I was into Little Richard. However, I was aware of Maria Callas, who was very newsworthy then as "The Diva", (literally and behaviourally), for her weight loss (80lbs) and in following years for her relationship with Mr Onassis. I later developed an appreciation of Opera, though never sadly seeing Ms Callas. Also, since then, I did notice on rare occasions some artists (like Nina Simone), seemed to shine with a glow that lifted them above the ordinary (or even very good) and the show became an 'experience'. You get a glimpse of that feeling here, even though the movie was made with technology of 65 years ago. To see her live must have been something.
The film is of a concert in Paris, her debut there, in 1958. So that was after she had lost "all that weight" - 80 lbs or so. There is a little of the audience arriving, including Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Brigitte Bardot and a small commentary, but mainly the film consists of the concert. We see the striking jewelry I thought was paste but gather much of it is real and hers! First half is a recital, including the piece from Norma she is famous for and "Miserere" from Il Trovatore and "Un Voce Poco Fa" from the Barber. The second half was a fully staged second act of Tosca, fitting with all the drama and the heroine another Diva. Tito Gobbi was the baritone and he and the other singers and orchestra were superb. The voice of Maria is beautiful. Maybe a bobble or 2 in the highest notes but a confident sweet-sounding soprano, better than anything you have heard before. And as strong as a Mezzo in the lower register.
But, there's more. The acting, the drama is something else. Like a prize fighter sizing his opponent, Maria moves staccato into the mood, fidgets with the cowl, flexes the face and emotes the anguish or hate or passion of Tosca or Norma. She is an Actress.
There was a camera up close, another back a bit - so this isn't "Opera at the Met". But the whole is a piece of history. See one of the greatest opera singers of the last 100 years, on media, beautifully restored by Tom Volf and helpers. 87 minutes.
