Tosca 1953: Victor de Sabata & Maria Callas

This Tosca, made in 1953 with the forces of La Scala, is a landmark in recording history.

Conducted with searing intensity by Victor de Sabata, it teams Callas with two of her closest colleagues, the tenor Giuseppe di Stefano and the baritone Tito Gobbi – a performer who could rival Callas in dramatic finesse and power. 

Tosca’s aria ‘Vissi d’arte’ (I lived for art) has come to be seen as Callas’ personal manifesto.