Warner Classics is proud to present the first of 18 Verdi opera recordings from the legendary Cetra (Fonit-Cetra) archive of historic mono recordings made in the 50s and 60s that will be re-issued over the course of 2012.=These monumental recordings, known to collectors world-wide, feature such stars as Maria Callas and Franco Corelli along with the most talented respected Italian Verdi specialists of the time.=Cetra Records triumphed in the early 50s when they undertook to produce these sometimes rare or underrated Verdi operas in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the composer's death.=Now, Warner Classics sets out to re-issue these recordings in celebration of the upcoming 200th anniversary of Verdi's birth - October 18, 2013.