Maria Callas - Aida Act 2 Finale Mexico, 1950 (with huge E Flat)

The Story behind her famous E-Flats:

After the dress rehearsal for Aïda, held on May 29, [impresario Antonio] Caraza-Campos asked Maria to sing the e-flat that the Mexican soprano of the eighteenth century Ángela Peralta used to sing at the end of the second act. She answered after a guffaw that it was impossible because many reasons, it was not written, she should ask it to the conductor and her colleagues, which she was not to keen to do, i.e. to ask, and lastly that it was of bad taste.

The premiere of Aïda came on May 30, with Callas as the Ethiopian princess, Simionato as Amneris, Baum as Radames, Rober Weede as Amonasro and Moscona as Ramfis. After Celeste Aida, Baum had a great ovation as Maria after Ritorna vincitore. During the intermission after the first act, Moscona went to Maria's dressing room where he spoke to her in Greek igniting her anger, apparently conveying some things said by the tenor. She called Diaz-Dupond and asked to go to the conductor Picco and the other singers, with exception of Baum, asking permission to sing the e-flat "because if Baum tries to f (fregarmi) keeping the high tones, he will surely listen to them". When she sang that legendary E flat happened all what the diva was pursuing, the theatre became a mad house in frenetic applause and Baum exploded. During the curtain calls at the end of the second act, Baum, in English, told her "You will never sing in America, this was a real 'porcheria'", she just answered smiling and going out to accept the love of the audience, "We will see"

(it has come to my attention that this is the May 30 performance, the information that accompanied my copy of this performance was incorrect, so i have changed the title to be accurate. To my knowledge [and i have tried exhaustively to find out] the June 3 only exists as a partial recording minus this thrilling Act 2 finale. Does anyone know if she did another high e?)

Видео Maria Callas - Aida Act 2 Finale Mexico, 1950 (with huge E Flat) канала CallasFan