Search - Paul Hudson, Renato Bruson, Giacomo Puccini :: Puccini: Tosca [Highlights]

An Outstanding Performance

A. Lukas | Spokane, WA | 07/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I possess the complete version of this recording and I am still astounded by the outstanding singing on this recording. Renata Scotto is considerably well suited to many Puccini roles and this recording proves to be one of her greatest. However, I warn the uniniated that Scotto's has a very large vibrato and if you don't want to hear her sing "Vissi d'arte" with it, then don't buy this.Alongside her, in the role of her beloved Cavaradossi, Placido Domingo gives an excellent performance. His "E Lucevan e stelle" is one of the most moving that I have heard and stands right along with Giuseppe di Stefano in the classic 1953 recording with Maria Callas and Tito Gobbi.However, I reserve my praise for the Scarpia on this CD. Renato Bruson gives us an astounding, spine-tingling interpretation of one of the greatest villains in opera. When he sings his great aria at the end of Act I (Tre Sbirri una carozza) one feels one's spine tingling. With all the other interpretations that I have heard over many years on the radio and in the theater, this interpretation still stands out as one of the best and most accurate.James Levine leads the orchestra with great verve and his insight into the score is undeniable particularly in the many lyric passages of this opera.An excellent recording of the highest order!"