Twenty years after the death of Maria Callas, The Gramophone critic J. B. Steane wrote of this 1955 recording of Madama Butterfly: “Callas’ Butterfly! That I would keep till last in the dreaded shipwreck, earthquake, house on fire, or whatever… she is the best of all recorded Madama Butterflies”. The recording is further distinguished by beautifully idiomatic performances from the Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala, Milan, conducted by Herbert von Karajan who, already at the peak of his powers, had been approached by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra to become their Chief Conductor.