Negative Positive
Title: Revealing
Review: For years I have avoided this recording, knowing that even much earlier Callas was making some very strange and possibly unpleasant sounds even in studio recordings. How wrong I was! Some unusual sounds there are, but they seem to fit the portrayal, which is unique and electrifying. Callas could be superb in what are often taken to be mezzo roles -- e.g. her Rosina in the Barber of Seville -- and here again she takes what has become a hack role and breathes new life into it. Callas may not be Carmen, but Carmen will never be the same after hearing her. Pretre's conducting is sympathetic and Gedda makes a more than adequate Don Jose, but there are better ones available. However, Carmen really is about Carmen and this portrayal is fabulous.
Is the review positive or negative? 