A complete recording of Callas's debut Lucia recorded on June 10, 1952, is available on several different 'pirate' labels, but the Mad scene of two subsequent performances were also recorded and are worth hearing. Callas's voice was as good in these performances as it was ever going to be, and has a security lacking in her 1959 EMI recording. The sound, of course, is far inferior to EMI, but the voice itself is pretty clear. The orchestra and conductor are also inferior to that procured by EMI, and these two extracts are more than a minute different in length which is quite something for a 15 minute extract.
Orquesta e Coro del Palacio de Bellas Artes (Ópera Nacional)
Conductor: Guido Picco, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico - June 14 & 26, 1952
http://rapidshare.com/files/2611386181/Lucia14Jun52.mp3
http://rapidshare.com/files/2528126441/Lucia26Jun52.mp3
