Claudia Muzio

Here are three deservedly legendary recordings from 1935, made less than a year before the early death of this incomparable Italian soprano, who appeared regularly in Chicago after a falling-out with the Metropolitan management in New York. Maria Callas called Muzio her greatest inspiration and, listening to her sing these arias, it’s easy to understand why:
“Addio del passato” from Verdi’s La traviata:

“L’altra notte” from Boito’s Mefistofele:

“Donde lieta uscì” from Puccini’s La bohème:

Artist note by Richard Evidon