New Release of Maria Callas Live Copenhagen Concert of June 9, 1963

Members of the Society will recall the 2016 CD release of Jussi Björling’s wonderful October 15, 1959 recital in Copenhagen at Falkoner Centret, the existence of which was previously unknown. The tape for that release was one of a number I acquired of live concerts recorded at that venue by the hall itself, all in fine sound. I have just released another important one, Maria Callas’ live concert there on June 9, 1963, with the Danish Radio Symphony conducted by Georges Prêtre. Callas became much less active on the opera stage starting in 1962, making her last performances in 1965. During these years she focused on live concerts and making recordings. In 1963 she gave a series of six concerts with orchestra ( the one in Copenhagen being the last), preceded by concerts in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, London and Paris. She had been working on her voice, and the Copenhagen concert found her in generally fine form, with her outstanding artistry undiminished.