First ever release of complete performance
  Includes a twenty-page booklet with extensive liner notes and previously unreleased photographs

This new edition of a historical performance of a neglected Rossini masterpiece is unique in several respects. Not only is it the first ever enhanced CD edition of the famous 1952 Maggio Musicale Fiorentino performance, but it also contains more than twelve minutes of music never before released* in any format (often erroneously considered lost). This includes a significant portion of Act III where Callas' voice can be heard in the third Armida-Rinaldo duet as well as in the recitative that follows it. Also, a section of the Act I Finale, including a solo line by Callas (previously published on LP only), can now be heard for the first time on CD.
In addition to being the absolutely first commercial edition to include every note of Rossini's Armida performed in Florence on April 26, 1952, the Divina Records version benefits from a clearer, less filtered sound than any known CD version, as well as a corrected pitch.
*Unfortunately, a male speaker voice in low pitch was dubbed over these portions of the recording, which possibly explains their absence from all previous commercial editions. However, Divina Records strongly feel that the performance should be heard complete, and that Callas’ only recorded assumption of Armida should be offered to listeners in its entirety.

  Sound samples comparison on MP3 files:
  Sinfonia on other labels / Sinfonia on DVN
  “D’Amor al dolce impero” on other labels / “D’Amor al dolce impero” on DVN