Puccini - Tosca  | Brilliant Classics - Opera Collection 93927

Puccini - Tosca

Label: Brilliant Classics - Opera Collection

Cat No: 93927

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 2

Genre: Opera

Release Date: 23rd March 2009

Contents

Artists

Maria Callas
Giuseppe di Stefano
Tito Gobbi
Franco Calabrese
Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Milano

Conductor

Victor de Sabata

Artists

Maria Callas
Giuseppe di Stefano
Tito Gobbi
Franco Calabrese
Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala, Milano

Conductor

Victor de Sabata

About

Libretto downloadable from www.brilliantoperacollection.com

One of a series called the 'Opera Collection' – an extensive new collection of operas, ranging from baroque to the twentieth century, many of which are award winners.

From its premiere on 14 January 1900 in Rome, Puccini’s Tosca has become one of the most famous and loved of all operas, containing some of the most famous arias in all Puccini – ‘Vissi d’arte’, and ‘E lucevan le stelle’. It tells of the love between the painter Cavaradossi and the singer Floria Tosca. Having helped the escaped political prisoner Angelotti escape Rome, Cavaradossi falls foul of his enemy, the police chief Scarpia. Obsessed with Tosca, Scarpia sees his opportunity to win her and has Cavaradossi tortured and sentenced to death. In order to save her lover, Tosca submits to Scarpa’s lust, believing him when he promises to arrange a mock execution for Cavaradossi and a letter giving the lovers free passage….

The performance of the unique Callas in the title role provides the greatest marvel.’ - Gramophone, 1953

Few opera recordings have been as widely lauded as this Tosca. Listening to it yet again I was especially impressed by the grip of de Sabata’s conducting. Dramatic energy crackles even in the quietest passages … when Cavaradossi is led in to the torture chamber in Act 2 … conveys palpable dread. Di Stefano is at his lyrical best in Act 3 making ‘E lucevan le stelle’ a truly anguished farewell to life. Gobbi is marvellous throughout. And Callas? She is a mass of contradictions: haughty and vulnerable, uncompromising and uncertain, yet always passionate – in short, the diva’s diva.’ - Gramophone, 2002

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