People live a lifetime without expressing as much emotion as that woman did in 3 minutes. Bellissimo!!

Absolutely the best Tosca ever. She did not sing Tosca, she WAS Tosca. This is the real difference that made her the greatest!

This three minutes twenty seconds alone is enough to place Callas in a league no other opera singer in recorded history can touch.

When I played this piece, usually the 53 version, my mom used to come into my room tears running down her face to thank me for the experience. She is now almost too deaf and far gone with dementia to be able to enjoy any music. I was very alone in my appreciation of classical music and my loud playing of opera was a source of displeasure frequently for others. But my beloved mother never curtailed my weirdness in this regard. This and Eben ne andro lontano always had profound impact on her. She was literally the only other person in my life who displayed such a genuine visceral reaction and appreciation for the power of Callas. I miss that terribly.

It is hard not to cry listening to the way Callas sings this aria. She conveys a tormented soul in such deep despair. There will never be another Tosca like Callas.

This interpretation by Maria is an astonishing miracle! The phrasing, legato, musicality and laser ray acute notes ,the exquisite high pianissimi, this is other world singing. Brávissima! Unforgettable diva Maria Callas❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

The difference beetween Callas and the other singers is that when she sings she is not only an opera singer, she is Tosca.

The amount of feeling and power Callas gets in her voice is almost shocking...almost unbelievable. She truly was one of a kind.

After you listen to her you have to avoid comparisons with another sopranos, She is absolutely divine.

Thank goodness man invented the recording, since I wasn't even born to see that. I can only imagine what would be like to listen to her personally, since from a video I already feel spiritually elevated to tears. Something happens again, like the first time I read Proust's "In Search of Lost Time", I thought I would never be able to read other authors and novels since nothing seemed to compare to him, fortunately it was only temporary; and now since I discovered Callas, I can only listen to her over and over again, and all other singers seem irrelevant.

This is Maria at her very best. I agree totally, no other soprano can ever stand in her shadow, she was and is the only Queen of Opera.

I cannot listen to Callas without tears.

Many people have criticized her voice range etc. etc. However, she was an artist at 360 degrees. Her acting was superb. For example, she perfectly interprets how Tosca would have felt then. Her eyes, her struggle, how can you not be moved by that. No autotune, no color, no fancy effects, just the voice, and the acting how it should be!

The most heart rendering piece of art ever committed to film . Period.

Google commercial brought me here. There's no mistaking this woman... 👏 Brava

her sense of music and drama is beyond anything on the stage today. It really is a shame that it is unlikely that there will never be anyone like her to grace this world again.

When Maria Callas first sang at Convent Garden many years before this performance, it was her famous 'Norma' . . . she exited after the first scene, and the audience did not applaud. She turned to the director, surprised, and said 'what did we do wrong?' He replied, 'oh, the London audiences don't interrupt the opera, Maria, with applause.' It's a marvelous quality, really, because they are so absorbed in the drama, and of course, she sang there many times in many of her great roles, which you can hear in live recordings. ** However all that being said, this entire performance of Tosca is on youtube, so you can see and hear the tremendous ovation at the end of Act II . . . that's when the London audience went wild. When the curtain fell after Tosca has killed Scarpia, places the candles around him, the cross on his chest, and sobbing runs offstage, that's when the London audience silent and respectful of such great acting, expressed their appreciation. Unforgettable! Anthony Plumer

That performance is absolutely incredible! She has created the model for how to perform this piece. It is perfect!

Hands down the most beautiful opera piece ever written.

Callas' voice was electrifying. Some knock it for being too harsh or even too thin in some instances. For me, it's just right.

She had tears in her voice and true and convincing attitude . No fake gestures nor grimaces like most of others singers in this role who cannot sing with so much emotion.

Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore, non feci mai male ad anima viva! Con man furtiva quante miserie conobbi, aiutai. Sempre con fe' sincera, la mia preghiera ai santi tabernacoli salì. Sempre con fe' sincera diedi fiori agli altar. Nell'ora del dolore perché, perché Signore, perché me ne rimuneri così? Diedi gioielli della Madonna al manto, e diedi il canto agli astri, al ciel, che ne ridean più belli. Nell'ora del dolore, perché, perché Signore, perché me ne rimuneri così?

A genius... this woman IS Opera.

My God!! This woman has soul!!!!

This is the greatest, most beautiful piece of music ever recorded, and I don't understand a word of it.

Callas is simply beautiful. She achieved her divine status because of her colossal talent, the ability to be the story and at the same time, tell the story of opera with her voice, mind and heart. May the haters continue but they won't succeed.

Impossible not to cry. What a voice, what raw emotion. Casta diva!!

There are two sets of sopranos in opera history. Maria Callas and everybody else.

I had the pleasure of enjoying her last performance in the UK . Unforgettable.

Absolute perfection artistically and technically. I cry every time I hear it. The greatest singer of all time. End of discussion.

I have listened to this version of Vissi d"arte Each time I have learned more about the depth of Tosca's feelings and the composer/librettist intent which Mme. Callas brings alive. This time I heard something different. Her sadness, her disbelief of what has is happening, is what every woman who has been or exposed to possible sexual assault. The sadness, the anger, the lifting up to the Diety why has this happened, Now I understand why many women friends who were exposed to possible or actual assault responds with tears, and anguish. Callas interpretation touched them to feel their reality. RIP Mme Callas -- you were an interpretive musical genius. RIP

Absolutely breathtaking! I LOVE her!!

With Callas there was the renaissance of the opera.

Thank you Galaxy S24 Ultra Official Film for bringing me here.

The effort these grand sopranos put in the song, is hard to understand, is not just talent, is a rough physically power, that is hard to comprehend.

I know she was a legend and critics raved about her and they were right. Brilliant sopranos have come and gone, but Maria Callas was in a class of her own. Awesome performance of Visi d'arte.

This is why she is matchless and uniquely perfect: An angelic voice plus true emotions and excellent acting. She will be dearly loved and missed for centuries to come. Thank you for posting!

I can't explain what I feel when I listen to her. Nobody else can make me feel like she does!

My father cried listening to this "romanza" and I cry too. We cry because in the question that's shouted and sung "Perché Signor?" ie "Why Lord?", in that scream (2:37- 2:42) there is the despair, the fear, the need and the life of humans.

perfect voice - still gives me chills when Callas sings Tosca

You can say what you want about her approach and technique, but she did something very special in this aria. She approached it like you approach sacred music, with complete renunciation of the ego.

Oh my dear Maria, the media treated you harsh and you died of heartbreak! But I hope you know even 40 years after your death you still inspire! I wrote just now about Caballe's version, her technique especially her breath control was spot on! But who needs to hold that final note when you give us 3 minutes and 20 seconds of something that can never be copied, never replicated, you really were the ultimate Soprano, you could act you could sing, and even though my Italian is rusty you made me believe every word! The critics said your voice was never the same again after your weight loss, to hell with them! You proved them so wrong and my God were you beautiful! And for the record I heard your early "Sempre libera" titled like a wildcat on KZfaq and no one has ever or will ever sing like that! So to hell with the haters people will always put you down! I might be a tenor but you've inspired me in ways no one can explain! I hope you are happy now, and I hope to get to sing with you in Heaven one day!

première fois que j'écoute Maria Callas ....je ne connais rien à l'opéra mais juste là.......cette femme m'a ému aux larmes ................😍😍😍

Vedere Maria quando interpreta qualsiasi opera è un’esperienza esaltante. In questa Tosca poi l’immedesimazione totale di Maria è la sua voce così piena di dolore e di passione si rivolge a Dio in modo disperato. Ma l’effetto che sprigiona è incomprensibile e sublime

Best Tosca ever no debate needed

Does it get any better than this? What a voice, full of pain with so much beauty.

the best, the most brilliant, sincere, exquisite opera female singer ever!

came here directly after hearing Tebaldi, who is supposed to have a more "beautiful" voice, but is tame and pallid by comparison. Here we have a real human being pouring out her heart, with all her passions and imperfections, not a singer focused on singing "beautifully".

She is the Best that ever did it. Her Emotion, Grace, Beauty and Power speak volumes. This is the Best Tosca i've seen . Her voice and range is remarkable I heard other Females sing this peice and they don't move you like Maria do. Perfection is all I can say!!!

riascoltare la Divina in quest'aria in questo momento così triste per il COVID19, mi ha rasserenato l'anima e mi ha convinto ancora di più che l'arte e la cultura sono determinanti nella vita di una persona se vuole vivere con pienezza e in armonia con il mondo. semplicemente meraviglioso

Callas. The greatest opera singer of all times. What perfetct expression and emotion.

Maria Callas was, is and will be forever the one and only Divina soprano, as a Greek Goddess!I love her great unique disembodied voice .She is the the opera and drama together.

I think i was more shocked at the fact that not one person didn't shout out Brava or clap at what was a phenomenal performance

Maria Callas è unica! Spiace affermare che la enorme differenza ancora oggi esistente con altri soprani lascia pensare che sarà così per sempre. Grandissime qualità di recitazione e altissima esecuzione di qualsiasi brano d'opera, lasciano molto indietro tutte le altre anche bravissime.

Perfect timing and feeling on every phrase. Plus perfectly calculated acting. She was probably a perfectionist and positively a genius!!! ♥♥♥

Such angst and raw emotion!!! Five star performance!

Mein Gott!!! What a performance, this video explain very clear why the Diva was the voice of the century, imposible not to cry!!

Even at the end of her career when her voice was (relative to her peak) in absolute tatters, she could still perform this aria with more pathos than all the songbirds before her and after her combined.

i feel like electrified over my body at 2:39 ! incredible, beautiful...

A voice like that comes not only from talent but a passionate and troubled life. It comes out through her wonderful voice. She can also act her part while singing. Not easy

Voice technique is important but technicalities (dynamics, breath marks, etc) imo come second to evoking true emotion (in terms of live performances or any of the that matter) which is what she did... This is something many singers struggle with... Say what you will but Callas give a performance that surely captivated the audience.

absolutely beautiful, my favorite version and rendition, Maria is the greatest

The expression she has in her voice is just incredible. It just gives me goosebumps every single time I listen to it. If you've heard Vissi D'arte sung by Callas once it's done, that's it, you just compare every other version to her. But at the end she's incomparable, she's L'Assoluta, La Divina after all.

This performance of Maria's Vissi d'arte sets the bar for all time!

Bravo to Puccini as well for this one. ✨✨✨

An absolutely extraordinary performance. La Divina. ❤❤🥰

Muchas gracias por compartir esta obra de arte, patrimonio de la humanidad.

When soul sings... Not the voice. Always in tears. Wonder those 120 dislikes.... They know about Opera, Art, Passion, Pain...?

Breathtaking ❤

What a rendition ! May Almighty bless Madame Callas's noble soul

No words! La Callas was, and it still is "the 'monster' of the opera...of the Bel Canto.

La divina. nessuna parola può esprimere la sua altezza e la sua bellezza del suo divino canto

she made me cry

Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore Non feci mai male ad anima viva Con man furtiva Quante miserie conobbi aiutai Sempre con fe' sincera La mia preghiera Ai santi tabernacoli salì Sempre con fe' sincera Diedi fiori agli altar Nell'ora del dolore Perché, perché, Signore Perché me ne rimuneri così? Diedi gioielli della Madonna al manto E diedi il canto agli astri, al ciel Che ne ridean più belli Nell'ora del dolor Perché, perché, Signor Ah, perché me ne rimuneri così?

When singing and acting and feeling it all with your soul really become as one in a truly magical performance! Nothing could ever compare to this 💚 oh Maria

She is truly the queen of opera. If this scene doesn't move you then there is no hope. What a voice and so sad she is gone.

Brava Maria Brava! The most moving Tosca ever! Jyrki Kaarlola Finland

Callas la mejor no solo en canto sino tambien en una electrizante actuación. Es magistral en el arte del bel canto.

WOW! The power and the passion! Why don't you rip my heart out? The genius of Maria,

È davvero meravigliosa, entra davvero nel cuore. Credo che con la Callas si sia raggiunto il top della lirica, mi emoziona questa sua interpretazione. Arte che oltrepassa l'arte. ❤️

Goosebumps! So much emotions and what a voice!

Thank the stars that these few recordings of Callas were made, little as they we might very well have been left with only the audio records of a great artist.

It is always a masterclass in style to hear or (the rare and wonderful treat!) to see Callas sing! Here in the verismo opera-she still retains the beautiful legato and follows what Maestro Puccini has put in the score faithfully. There is far too much scooping and swooping and ugly glottal attacks in the way modern singers sing this beautiful music! Instead of art we are getting fed a very poor copy-a caricature even, at times of this music. It isn’t that there doesn’t exist talent anymore, I just think the emphasis is on the wrong things and so the high art that is singing is being trampled on and dumbed down in an effort to “please the audience”....Beautiful, engaged, virtuosic singing is what speaks directly to the souls of the audience. If we bring that back, then the theaters will be full to bursting again. Thank you Maria Callas for shining the light!

Sempre un' emozione ascoltare Maria Callas, unica, inarrivabile ed indimenticabile. Lei non solo cantava, era ogni personaggio che interpretava.

Yo no soy opera fan pero cada vez que veo este video mis ojos se llenan de lágrimas.

The Goddes of the Opera

I have only one thing to say: BEST TOSCA EVER!

i cried listening to this. It's like her singing can reach the very depth of your soul.

this is so perfect

What a blessing that this performance by Maria Callas has been recorded. The climax ooooooh is just stunning beyond words. One can almost see the sheer appreciation and gratitude on Maria's face as she is creating the sound. This is the strongest climax I have seen performed for this aria. And then to her last breath she gives it her all! Astonishing. Such control of voice and emphasis! Such enunciation!

I sing Opera and Maria is the only soprano to ever win my heart. She was and IS still the most profound soprano ever to Grace this Earth.

Dio mio! Splendida! Mi piace tantissimo Maria Callas!

When I sing Vissi d’arte it’s impossible not to be inspired by the great Mary. There's always a bit of her in every note I play

Maria Callas, eterna Tosca. Faz-me chorar com a melancolia e o encanto de tua voz. Nós do Brasil te amamos demais. 💗🇧🇷

My first love is Jazz but this woman has a gift from the gods, there is not another voice that can touch hers. We are so fortunate to have been graced with her voice during our lifetime

1:53 When she says that cosi like you let pure sadnes to sing itself.Its something most beautiful I have ever heard.♡

The greatest Opera diva!

Her voice is sheer power.

There are no words in the Tongues of Man than could describe that ........ So i will sit in stunned silence forever knowing i was in the presence of Perfection ..... We miss you Maria ..........🙏💙

Everytime I listen to Ms. Callas I am left breathless! She is beyond compare! Thank you so much for this upload!