* “CALLAS A PARIS”: ARIAS BY GLUCK,...

* “CALLAS A PARIS”: ARIAS BY GLUCK, BIZET, SAINT-SAENS, GOUNOD, THOMAS, MASSENET, CHARPENTIER AND BERLIOZ. Maria Callas, soprano; Orchestre National de la R.D.F. and Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire conducted by Georges Pretre. EMI-Angel CDC 7-49059-2 (compact disc). The degeneration in the Callas voice between 1961 and 1963 is evident in these fruits of two recording sessions. But the best cuts rank among the most eloquent moments of the soprano’s studio career. No Callas collection, however modest, should be deprived of her seductive Dalila arias, her heroic Orphee, her tragic Berlioz Marguerite, her fervent Louise. The trouble comes when Callas crosses to soubrette territory; Philine, Manon and Juliette disclose more than their fair share of squally moments. Still, the 74-minute anthology, suavely conducted by Pretre and acceptably remastered, is indispensable.