"The musicianship of her Casta Diva leaves most of the versions I know as non-starters, the glissando passages in the cabaletta “Deh bello a me ritorna” shortly afterwards are breathtaking, Norma’s anguish when she finds out that she is betrayed, the reproachful dignity and biting scorn of her scenes with the wretched Pollione and her hieratic magnanimity in dealing with her rival—all these are truly wonderful. She also makes you hear the music for the first time...” - The Gramophone, 1954

Norma was one of the roles which made Maria Callas's international reputation, and this recording from 1954 finds her at her vocal peak. Now XR remastered in Ambient Stereo, it's an essential update to an essential recording.

We celebrate this week the birthday of Vaughan Williams with an automatic discount on all his recordings at Pristine.

"Toscanini completes the trilogy; and be it said at the start that he gets a remarkably good recording. His performance, and the orchestra's, it goes without saying, are superb." - The Gramophone, 1954

Toscanini was a great advocate for his friend Respighi's Roman Trilogy, and these studio recordings, made with the NBC SO between 1949 and 1953, really shine here in these new Ambient Stereo XR remasters from Pristine.

This week we also celebrate another composer with strong Toscanini links - it's Verdi's 211th birthday, and all week we have a special automatic discount on all his recordings at Pristine.

"Sometimes we reviewers cannot in the circumstances of the case cease from hedging and beating about the bush. But this time I shall say that I think this new Turandot is the best." - The Gramophone, 1961

Shortlisted for Album of the Year and winner of Classical Album of the Year in the 1960 Grammy Awards, this superb Turandot, recorded in stereo in 1959 with Jussi Björling and Birgit Nilsson in the lead roles and Erich Leinsdorf conducting in Rome now sounds truly incredible with in new XR remaster.

This week we also celebrate Shostakovich's 118th birthday with a special 10% automatic discount on all his recordings.