Anna Bolena - Gaetano Donizetti Performance of May 14td, 1957 at Teatro alla Scala, Milano conducted by G. Gavazzeni Teatro alla Scala Orchestra & Chorus Giovanna Seymour : G. Simionato Lord Riccardo Percy : G. Raimondi Henrico VIII : N. Rossi-Lemeni HUNT CD 518 1986 MELODRAM MEL 26010 1987 VERONA27090/91 1990 G.O.P. 768-CD 2 1995 EMI Musical Excerpts Live performance This performance of Anna Bolena was directed by Luchino Visconti, whose collaborations with Callas were very fruitful, since he directed five operas for Callas, all of them being considered as great achievements. Callas also worked with another famous director, Franco Zeffirelli, on five operas, the best known and documented being Tosca.

"Success, triumph, delirium – it seemed the public had gone mad. Everyone says they cannot recall a triumph so complete." Donizetti’s words after the premiere of Anna Bolena could perfectly describe what happened the 14th of April 1957, when Callas took part in the bel canto revival one more time. The power of acting with her voice, giving the audience the illusion of seeing as well as hearing, had never been so true, from her moving entry scene, to the brilliant and poetic mad scene. Discography Live performances Rehearsal of November 20th, 1957 at State Fair Music Hall, Dallas conducted by N. Rescigno CLS EMI Official recordings EMI Recital Mad scenes Recorded from 24th to 25th of September, 1958 at Kingsway Hall, London conducted by N. Rescigno Philarmonia Orchestra & Chorus