In celebration of Maria Callas’ 100th birthday on December 2, Spotify is releasing a pair of brand-new Spotify Singles honoring Callas’ renowned career and legacy in partnership with her official label Warner Classics. The singles will feature GRAMMY-nominated opera singer Lawrence Brownlee, star cellist Gautier Capuçon, and pianist Anastasia Rizikov paying tribute to Callas on her centenary by bringing new life to two songs from her legendary catalog: “O mio babbino caro” and “Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici”.
“Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici”, the famous Brindisi from La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, is an innovative duet that pairs Callas’ voice with Brownlee’s. The past and present unite with Callas’ original, emotive vocals at the front-and-center, while the signature tenor role features a newly imagined interpretation by Lawrence Brownlee. “O mio babbino caro” is a captivating instrumental cover by Gautier Capuçon and Anastasia Rizikov of the aria from Giacomo Puccini’s opera Gianni Schicchi, famously performed by Callas.
About the announcement Brownlee said, "The great Maria Callas has always been someone I've admired for her contributions to classical music, specifically the Bel Canto genre. Someone who is about expressivity, artistry, always wanting to be in great detail with everything that she puts out. I've learned so much from her and she has shaped so much of what we understand are the traditions of Bel Canto practice, performance practice, and so listening to her is truly like a master class. You're always learning, you're always understanding and appreciating the details she gave to the music, to the text. The text was equal to the music and expressivity was always at the forefront. I have the greatest deal of respect for the great Maria Callas and all she contributed to our wonderful art form and I am honored to be part of this project."
