Puccini: Tosca (Highlights)

Levine, James

Levine, James / Puccini: Tosca (Highlights)
Format: CD Album
Released: Tue 24 Oct 2000
Catalogue Number: EMC74131.2

E-mail this product information to a friend E-mail this product information to a friend.
Add to Shopping Cart

Add to Wishlist
Price:  AUD$12.72
Import
To Order
* Prices displayed are in Australian Dollars and, where applicable, GST inclusive
Description:
This disc of highlights from EMI's 1980 recording of Tosca has many strengths, not the least of which is the brilliant and incisive conducting of James Levine. He leads the Philharmonia Orchestra in a stellar performance that allows details of orchestration to emerge with great clarity. His emphasis on the score's many dramatic contrasts and mercurial moods highlights the opera's character as a psychological thriller, and his rhythmic suppleness gives it a surging romantic power. Plácido Domingo is a refined but passionate Cavaradossi. He was at the height of his powers when the recording was made, and his top is thrillingly ringing. Renato Bruson's Scarpia is strong, but his voice lacks the unctuous darkness that makes for a truly frightening portrayal of evil. As Tosca, Renata Scotto was past her prime when the recording was made, and she is occasionally betrayed by a wobble. A somewhat older Tosca, however, is a reasonable dramatic conceit, and the fact that her character is so often enraged makes Scotto's lack of absolute control in the more fiery passages forgivable. In "Vissi d'arte," her moment of relatively quiet reflection, Scotto is highly effective; she fully exploits her gifts in portraying a sympathetic victim that made her 1966 Madama Butterfly so extraordinary. A listener's response to Scotto's Tosca will probably hinge on the acceptance of her occasional lack of vocal control as an expression of her temperament and her emotional distress. The smaller roles are vividly characterized by singers with consistently strong voices; in particular, Andrea Velis' Spoletta is deliciously unpleasant. This might not be the first choice for the listener looking for only one disc of highlights from the opera, since Bruson's Scarpia doesn't fully exploit the character's malevolence and Scotto's Tosca is not always lyrically sumptuous, but Domingo's performance, the fine supporting cast, and Levine's illuminating reading make this a version that should be of interest to Puccini enthusiasts. ~ Stephen Eddins, AMG

Track Listing:

1.  Ah! Finalmente! [2:02]
2.  Dammi I Colori! [3:56]
3.  Mario! Mario! Mario! [7:22]
4.  Ah, Quegli Occhi! [6:17]
5.  Tre Sbirri, Una Carrozza [4:36]
6.  Orsù, Tosca, Parlate [3:52]
7.  Floria!...Amore [1:30]
8.  Vittoria! Vittoria [3:35]
9.  Se la Giurata Fede [3:51]
10.  Vissi d'Arte [3:44]
11.  Vedi, la Man Giunte Io Stendo a Te! [3:37]
12.  E Qual Via Scegliete? [7:19]
13.  Lo De' Sospiri [5:21]
14.  E Lucevan le Stelle [4:08]
15.  Franchigia a Floria Tosca [2:32]
16.  O Dolce Mani [5:40]
17.  E Non Giugono [2:40]
18.  Com'é Lunga l'Attesa! [2:27]
19.  Presto, Su! Mario! [1:34]

Availability
This is an import product, and as such may take longer to source stock, we estimate that despatch will take 14-20 days after ordering, click here for more information regarding import products.


More music4me > Easy Listening > Easy Listening
More Levine, James