Gluck: Iphigénie en Tauride, Wq. 46

We continue our exploration of Carlo Maria Giulini's discographic legacy with a lesser-known aspect of his career, one that was nevertheless decisive in shaping his future as a conductor: opera. He recorded relatively few, apart from a few legendary recordings such as his Don Giovanni, and for a long time refused to conduct from the late 1960s onwards, tired of the constant ego clashes that undermined opera houses.

It was at La Scala that his career truly took off and he gained international stature, and greater freedom in his artistic choices. In the 1950s, it was mainly in the theatre pit that he distinguished himself at the major festivals, notably in Aix-en-Provence, where he conducted the first recording of Iphigénie en Tauride live in 1952. Among a particularly select cast, baritone Robert Massard stands out in the role of Thoas. He celebrates his 100th birthday on August 15th, and still going strong!