Search - Ettore Bastianini, Gottfried Hornik, Renato Cesari :: Panorama: Giacomo Puccini

Tosca - Scarpia perfection!

Armindo | Greece | 05/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the rare 1958 Brussels Tosca with Renata Tebaldi, Giuseppe di Stefano and Ettore Bastianini under the gifted baton of Gianandrea Gavazzeni. Compared to the similarly cast '59 Scala Tosca, I find the Brussels Tosca even greater as a performance while the sound is better despite a few pitch problems. Tebaldi's Tosca finally finds her ideal Scarpia in Bastianini. Both artists had two of the most glorious squillo voices and grand stage presences which works wonders for Puccini's masterpiece! Bastianini proves that Scarpia can be evil AND vocally sumptuous at the same time. In fact, I think he has found the golden cut! He is particularly outstanding in the forte passages which he does not shout but sing! What a pity he didn't record the role in studio with Tebaldi. Speaking of Tebaldi, she was in pristine shape that evening, much better than a year later at La Scala, Livorno or in studio. This definitely ranks among her best live Tosca performances. Proud phrasing, Italian temperament and femininity are some of the aspects that made her "the grandest and most dignified Tosca" as a Greek critic put it. It's needless to distinguish a single phrase when the entire performance is as haunting as hers.Di Stefano is marginally better here than a year later at La Scala but even in 1958, the wear in his voice is a sad experience. The lower regions still have their characteristic lyrical warmth but the higher the notes, the more unpleasant the sound. Even so, he is one of the most passionate and poetic Marios. Needless to discuss how welcome these three performers' perfect Italian is!You won't find this performance easily but if you do, you will be awarded with one of the greatest live Tosca performances!"