Given the abundant vocal splendor of this recording, it's understandable that Mr. de Sabata's contributions to the project aren't always fully appreciated.
When opera lovers start thinking about vital recordings, one in particular is almost always mentioned: EMI's 1953 "Tosca, " with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano and Tito Gobbi in the leading roles and Victor deSabata conducting.
Mr. deSabata may be barely known today, except to connoisseurs, but he was second only to Arturo Toscanini among Italian maestros in his day, and one of the few conductors from his country to enjoy an international reputation at the time.