Warner Classics are following up their widely acclaimed remastering of the singer’s complete studio recordings with the Maria Callas Live edition. Marking 40 years since Maria’s Callas death, the deluxe 42-CD box set brings together her live opera and recital recordings, including precious recordings of 12 roles she only ever undertook onstage. These 20 complete operas and five complete filmed recitals – also available as digital downloads, through streaming services, and on Blu-ray – have been newly remastered from the highest quality source material, using the cutting-edge technology of Studio Art et Son in Paris.

Warner’s announcement will be a welcome one for fans of the legendary soprano, whose live output encompassing some of her most striking performances has been marred by poor sound quality and unclean transfers. For Callas aficionados, the most exciting recordings to be remastered must include the 1949 Nabucco, with Callas in rock solid, huge voice; the 1951 Aida, infamous for her astounding high E Flat at the conclusion of the Triumphal scene; the 1952 Macbeth, one of her most assured interpretations for which she gave only a number of performances; the 1957 Anna Bolena; and the near-legendary 1958 Lisbon Traviata. Rarity hunters will doubtless be...