No. It is not possible to convey more emotion than Maria Callas does in this performance. Even if you do not understand the words you can feel the despair. I weep every time I hear it, sometimes more than others.
Go listen to any other performance—there are plenty on YouTube. They are flat compared to Maria Callas in this performance.
“Look at me I am talented” or “I’m just doing my job here” or “I am an artist.” Fleming. Tebaldi. Any other big name. Technically competent, sure. Impressive? There are many. Evocative and laying her soul bare? Emphatically, no.
I was introduced to La Wally by the movie, Diva. This performance by Maria Callas brought me to deeply appreciate opera, rather than dismiss it as a frivolous curiosity or movie plot feature.
From there, I went to marinating myself in Wagner overtures and preludes. Hours and hours on endless repeat.
I can’t say I love opera. I don’t listen to much, and I am selective in what I choose. The predominant theme of tragedy (as in La Wally, as an example) is not something I choose to absorb, and you are what you think. Listening to Ebben? Ne andrò lontana makes me weep. Every time. Strong medicine.
But OMG. As the pinnacle of cultural achievement? Opera is Exhibit A.
The only other individual piece of music that compares is Misere by Allegri. I recall a flight to the East Coast with Misere (performed by the Sistine Chapel Choir) on repeat. At about 1:10 there begins a Moment, and I would shed a tear every time it rolled around again.
Sacred choral music (and especially Misere) is beautiful and uplifting. If I choose to hypnotize myself with music, that’s what I look for. Otherwise, silence.
OK, I’m a pagan. At the moment it’s Rachmaninov’s piano pieces that are on endless repeat. So sue me.