Mozart - Cosi Fan Tutte - 1963 UK 4 x Vinyl - White Angel - Bohm - 1st Press

	£		26
	$		34

This 1963 UK 4-LP box set of Mozart's Così Fan Tutte (SAN 103-6) features conductor Karl Böhm leading the Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus, starring Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Christa Ludwig. It is a highly sought-after 1st pressing, characterized by the "White Angel" (Gold & White) label, stereo, and often includes a booklet. Key Details & Identification:Label: EMI/His Master's Voice (HMV) Angel Series.Release Year: 1963.Catalogue Number: SAN 103, 104, 105, 106 (4 LPs).Label Appearance: Gold & White label ("White Angel") indicates the true first pressing.Format: 4 x Vinyl LP, Stereo, Box Set with booklet.Cast: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Fiordiligi), Christa Ludwig (Dorabella), Alfredo Kraus (Ferrando), Giuseppe Taddei (Guglielmo), Walter Berry (Don Alfonso), Hanny Steffek (Despina).Matrix Numbers: Early pressings often feature -1G, -16G, -17G, etc., suffix codes. This recording is considered a classic interpretation of the opera. The "White Angel" label, particularly in stereo, represents the first edition in the UK. AOverture - Act I (Part 1)24:50BAct I (Part 2)18:47CAct I (Part 3)23:19DAct I (Conclusion)18:13EAct II (Part 1)24:30FAct II (Part 2)19:13GAct II (Part 3)15:17HAct II (Conclusion)20:50Record Company – Capitol Records, Inc.Recorded At – Kingsway HallManufactured By – Capitol Records, Inc.Baritone Vocals [Guglielmo] – Giuseppe TaddeiBass Vocals [Don Alfonso] – Walter BerryChorus – Philharmonia ChorusComposed By – Wolfgang Amadeus MozartConductor – Karl BöhmHarpsichord, Musical Assistance – Heinrich SchmidtLibretto By – Lorenzo Da PonteLiner Notes – Michael Marcus (2), William GlockLiner Notes [Translation By] – William Weaver*Mezzo-soprano Vocals [Dorabella] – Christa LudwigMusical Assistance – Antonio ToniniOrchestra – Philharmonia OrchestraSoprano Vocals [Despina] – Hanny SteffekSoprano Vocals [Fiordiligi] – Elisabeth SchwarzkopfTenor Vocals [Ferrando] – Alfredo KrausMakes no reference to a year of release.

Page 2 of booklet states that recording began September 1962 at Kingsway Hall, London, England. Library of Congress number suggests a 1962 release in the US, but UK release as HMV SANS.103 bears a (p) 1963 date on LP labels:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Christa Ludwig, Hanny Steffek, Alfredo Kraus, Giuseppe Taddei, Walter Berry, Philharmonia Orchestra And Philharmonia Chorus, Karl Böhm - Così Fan Tutte

THIS release uses an Angel label design not in use until the 1970's, so it appears to be a reissue or repressing circa 1975.
http://vinylbeat.com/cgi-bin/labelfocus.cgi?label=ANGEL&label_section=A,B,C
Compare Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Christa Ludwig, Hanny Steffek, Alfredo Kraus, Giuseppe Taddei, Walter Berry, Philharmonia Orchestra And Philharmonia Chorus, Karl Böhm - Così Fan Tutte

No references to EMI - only to Capital

Back cover states:

"Library of Congress Numbers R-62-1446 (mono) and R-62-1447 (stereo) apply to this recording."

"Should Be Played Only with a Stereo Cartridge and Stylus"

The latest Angel (all opera) releases named on the back cover all were released on or before 1962:
Tannhauser: (S)3620, (S)35685
Faust: (S)3622, (S)35827
Fidelio: (S)3625 [No reference to highlight version S36168 released in 1963]
Cosi Fan Tutte: (S)3631 [No reference to highlight version S36167 released in 1965]

20-page 12 x 12 booklet on linen paper. Images include first 5 pages and last page.

LP's in high-quality yellow Angel "AE21A" sleeves.

Playing Time, Act I : 85:09
Playing Time, Act II: 79:50