Puccini - Tosca / Kabaivanska, Domingo, Milnes, Luccardi, Mariotti, Bartoletti
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend Opera is an inherently theatrical medium that does not lend itself readily to the realism of film treatment. The shining exception is Puccini's Tosca, an action-packed melodrama that unfolds in three taut and gripping acts like the meatiest of Hollywood films noir. And unlike most operas, these three acts are set in three very specific Roman locales. Thus this 1976 film takes place in the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle (Act… Product details and pricing info |
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25 Customer Reviews Posted
- Kabaivanska's Tosca in an interesting movie
- In 1976, Gianfranco de Bosio shot this film in locations in Rome. Many may think that the style here is a bit exaggerated, with strong colours and sterotypic gestures from the actors - but I think that all that is part of the right aesthetics of what is in origine grand-guignol. The fact that we are watching the actual places where the event of the story take place is also very endearing and Bartoletti, aided by the excellent New Philharmonia Orchestra, gives a competent account of Puccini's score. However, the main interest here is that the incredibly neglected Raina Kabaivanska is taking the title role. Not only she is in excellent voice and copes with the extreme difficulties of the role with no effort, but also it is a sensational voice - uniquely bright and powerful with unbelievably floating pianissimi, while also dealing with the most outspoken moments with good taste and dramatic engagement. She also looks gorgeous. Domingo is also in fresh and young voice - he's only a bit chubby here. Milnes, as the rest of the team, is in great voice and goes for a totally evil Scarpia, with a made-up nose that makes him look quite mean!
- 2001-11-25, 22 of 23 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- My first exposure... and still my favorite ever
- I'd never experienced opera before seeing this treatment of Tosca, more years ago than I like to think, on PBS. I was captivated. Tosca remains my favorite opera ever -- and this version of it is still my favorite, even after the many I've seen subsequently. Yes, the scenery is terrific, Domingo and Kabaivanska are polished and effective... but for me, the most exciting performance was delivered by Milnes. Unlike every Scarpia I've seen subsequently (all of whom played the police chief as an aging roué who's been-there-done-that and come out the worse for wear), Milnes plays him as a man in his prime, with animal appetites and amorality -- a Scarpia who /does/ have attraction and power, and Tosca must fight with herself and her love for Cavaradossi to resist him. She wants him, though she knows she shouldn't, that he'll use her up and throw her away like his empty wineglass. That's an interpretation I've never seen anywhere else. I'd only be happier if it were a DVD...
Wrote this review in October of 2000, and as of 2 Apr 2002: Oo! Hooray, lookit that! It /is/ a DVD! I am /so/ all over that action. :)
- 2000-10-03, 12 of 14 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Kabaivanska is good, but not the greatest Tosca of all time
- This is a beautiful, spectacular film which uses the real locations in Rome where the opera takes place. Domingo and Milnes give wonderful performances. As for Kabaivanska, I thought she was very good, but certainly not the greatest Tosca of all time. To the reviewers who said Kabaivanska was the greatest of all time: have you seen Maria Callas? For me, Callas is the greatest ever. But Kabaivanska is a good actress and gives a moving performance.
- 1999-09-14, 17 of 22 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Definitive Tosca
- Raina Kabaivanska's interpretation of Tosca as preserved in this thrilling video cannot be over praised. It's her own interpretation too. Completely original, there is a rare quality about this great singing actress that makes me wonder why she was so under used by recording companies. Raina Kabaivanska offers a definitive interpretation of Tosca. This is a must for any opera collector.
- 1999-08-20, 9 of 9 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Kabaivanska is the greatest Tosca of all time.
- Raina Kabaivanska is surely a composer's dream. She not only sings Tosca; for a couple of hours, she IS Tosca. Her voice is glorious and she is an actress of the first magnitude. Add to those enviable qualities, she is beautiful to look at and moves with extraordinary grace. She and Placido Domingo (Mario) are superb together. Raina Kabaivanska is stellar. Any opera lover must have this video. One never tires of its beauty. For the scholar, this is the definitive verisma in all its purity. No other Tosca rises to such heights of excellence! G.K. Brown, DMA Prof. of Music (Ret.)
- 1999-08-08, 16 of 18 people found this review helpful, Rated:
