Puccini: Tosca

Advantages: Arguably the best cast for this opera on disc
Disadvantages: Some fans do not take to Callas' voice and the sound is old and mono

...This is probably the single finest recording of Giacomo Puccini's opera "TOSCA". The combination of quality singers, a great conductor and an excellent orchestra make this a very worthwhile version to own. Maria Callas, that most controversial of sopranos, is famed for her portrayal as Floria Tosca with this arguably being the finer of her two 'official' recordings of the work. In 1953 when this was recorded Callas was arguably at her finest with a big strong voice full of colour and without some of those infamous wiry high notes. She seems aware of all the different facets of her character and this makes for an exciting and interesting listen - compare the full voice screams and drama during her confrontation with Tito Gobbi's unsurpassed Baron Scarpia and the muted, tender "Vissi d'arte" one of the most beautiful arias in all opera... Read review

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Advantages: Moving, emotional and dramatic
Disadvantages: Unless a big fan of opera's or Puccini it does not really warrant sole purchase

...---OVERVIEW--- Having listened to classical music for a long time I had never been attracted to the Puccini CD's which I constantly knew were there in the stores. It wasn't until I saw the film Heavenly Creatures (a definite watch) that I discovered the true impact of Puccini's works. Using the Humming chorus from Madame Butterfly to powerful effect I was driven to buy a CD of his best works. --Puccini-- FULL NAME - Giacomo Puccini NATIONALITY - Italian BORN - 1858 DIED - 1924 MAJOR WORKS - Manon Lescaut, La Boheme, Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Turandot. ---PRICE--- At £5 a go, buying and getting hold of Puccini's music is no problem at all and is available in most high street music chains (HMV, Virgin etc) Again like many of my other classical CD's I recommend the NAXOS label for quality and price. ---MADAME... Read review

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Advantages: Classic recordings from a master of his trade.
Disadvantages: Mono recordings, Crackly in parts.

...pure by Charles Gounod La reine de Saba: Inspirez-moi, race divine by Charles Gounod Serse, HWV 40: Ombra mai fu "Largo" by George Frideric Handel Le Cid: O Souverain, ô juge, ô père by Jules Massenet Manon: Ah! fuyez, douce image by Jules Massenet L'Africaine: O paradis sorti de l'onde by Giacomo Meyerbeer Les Huguenots: Plus blanche que la blanche hermine by Giacomo Meyerbeer La Gioconda: Cielo e mar by Amilcare Ponchielli La Bohème: O soave fanciulla by Giacomo Puccini La Bohème: Che gelida manina by Giacomo Puccini Tosca: Recondita armonia by Giacomo Puccini Tosca: E lucevan le stelle by Giacomo Puccini Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai by Giacomo Puccini Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: Lensky's aria by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Aida: Celeste Aida by Giuseppe Verdi Il trovatore: Di quella pira by Giuseppe Verdi Il... Read review

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