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Music : Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan
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Rating: 
- greatest opera recording of all time
Anyone wishing to discover opera should start with this CD, which is absolutely captivating. Tosca is an exciting opera to listen to, and here we have Callas at her absolute peak. The entire cast is exceptionally strong, making this a truly landmark recording that no one should be without. This Tosca only gets better with repeated listenings, and it comes with my highest recommendation.
Rating: - What Have I Missed All These Years????
I'm not ashamed to say that, having been raised on German music, I came to this opera and this particular performance late in life. Well, I'm glad I finally did! I've seen and listened to this opera on sporadic occasions, but I recently made up my mind to get this set. Now, I have been converted, not only to "Tosca," but to Maria, Tito, Giuseppe, and Victor. I suppose because of the quality of performance, a great of of the genius that conceived this opera is revealed for the first time. De Sabata is fiery and subtle at the same time (try out his symphonic performances, by the way), Gobbi is suave and absolutely EVIL, De Stefano is passionate but totally without exaggeration, and Callas is the most exciting and MUSICAL soprano since Frieda Leider and Astrid Varnay. Well, now off to the Callas "Rigoletto," "Aida," "Carmen." After that, who knows?
Rating: - Exceptional performance, be careful of what edition you buy
Nothing needs to be added to the accolades of the past reviews. Certainly one of the hallmark recordings of the 20th Century and one which captures in the studio what was not possible on stage. The dramatic imagery of the recording exceeds what one often 'sees' on stage. One VITAL NOTE OF CAUTION TO THOSE WHO KNOW THIS PERFORMANCE OR MAY BE UNAWARE - when the remastering using ART sonics first came out for this performance, I was one of two people who initially questioned why EMI had altered the sequence of 'Marios' at Tosca's entrance. The engineer had obviously spliced back in a duplicate of one of the Marios and truncated the 'son qui' by di Stefano which follows. There were assurances given that subsequent pressings would correct the problem. You will notice the error immediately if you are familiar with the performance. This ART edition also lacks the warmth of the earlier CD version which appeared as EMI 7-47174-2 (1992). The performances withstand the errors but be cautious when buying any opera in this ART series as some have worsened the sound and others attempted to 'correct' performances.
Rating: - The only Tosca
After this recording of Tosca, the others are unpleasant. Yes, maybe Domingo is better than Di Stefano and Bruson than Gobbi. But that's it! Nobody can do what Callas did. And of course there is De Sabata too. Sculptural. And the Diva at her best voice...
Rating: - 5 Stars and More!!! Brava Callas!
I have always been a huge fan of Maria Callas. She brought the intensity and true drama of anything she performed and she risked everything to give us glorious interpretations. Certainly is is true that she had a voice that was not traditionally considered baeutiful, but I am not one of those people who like tweety bird singers who only sing for beauty of sound(which is not true beauty at all - only a superficial one in my opinion). If a composer's wish is to have drama and life to his opera, then the singer has to obey the composer's wishes, end of story. And Callas is the one singer who did this. When neede, she sacrificed beauty for expression of the drama that is opera, and this Tosca is one of the finest examples one can hear of the drama and fire that is required in Puccini's music. This is a set that for once dispels any doubts as to its value as one of the greteast recordings of the century. It is a total perofrmance. Many people single out the second act of this recording for its dramatic intensity, but I feel that does a disservice to Callas and Puccini, as he wrote his opera as a whole combined force of several acts. Sure, the Second act does have the famous Vissi d'arte, and other great 'tunes', but I feel that the whole performance has to be taken into account. The first act is notable for its varieties and subtlties of the orchestra's playing, the second act for its bitter drama and Tosca's cry to God, and the Third Act for its heartbreaking ending (why is it that the prima donnas have to die so horribly?). Throughout the recording Callas, Gobbi, di Stefano and de Sabata create magic through their individual genius. This set has the balance of fire, intelligence, passion, and sound quality needed for a successful recording. For a 48-year-old recording, the sounds stands up well against other versions. I know I haven't reviewed the set as much as I have praised Callas, but what has been said in the other 67 reviews is sufficient I think. I urge you strongly to listen to this set and see foryourself how great music is and Callas!
- greatest opera recording of all timeAnyone wishing to discover opera should start with this CD, which is absolutely captivating. Tosca is an exciting opera to listen to, and here we have Callas at her absolute peak. The entire cast is exceptionally strong, making this a truly landmark recording that no one should be without. This Tosca only gets better with repeated listenings, and it comes with my highest recommendation.
Rating:
- What Have I Missed All These Years????I'm not ashamed to say that, having been raised on German music, I came to this opera and this particular performance late in life. Well, I'm glad I finally did! I've seen and listened to this opera on sporadic occasions, but I recently made up my mind to get this set. Now, I have been converted, not only to "Tosca," but to Maria, Tito, Giuseppe, and Victor. I suppose because of the quality of performance, a great of of the genius that conceived this opera is revealed for the first time. De Sabata is fiery and subtle at the same time (try out his symphonic performances, by the way), Gobbi is suave and absolutely EVIL, De Stefano is passionate but totally without exaggeration, and Callas is the most exciting and MUSICAL soprano since Frieda Leider and Astrid Varnay. Well, now off to the Callas "Rigoletto," "Aida," "Carmen." After that, who knows?
Rating:
- Exceptional performance, be careful of what edition you buyNothing needs to be added to the accolades of the past reviews. Certainly one of the hallmark recordings of the 20th Century and one which captures in the studio what was not possible on stage. The dramatic imagery of the recording exceeds what one often 'sees' on stage. One VITAL NOTE OF CAUTION TO THOSE WHO KNOW THIS PERFORMANCE OR MAY BE UNAWARE - when the remastering using ART sonics first came out for this performance, I was one of two people who initially questioned why EMI had altered the sequence of 'Marios' at Tosca's entrance. The engineer had obviously spliced back in a duplicate of one of the Marios and truncated the 'son qui' by di Stefano which follows. There were assurances given that subsequent pressings would correct the problem. You will notice the error immediately if you are familiar with the performance. This ART edition also lacks the warmth of the earlier CD version which appeared as EMI 7-47174-2 (1992). The performances withstand the errors but be cautious when buying any opera in this ART series as some have worsened the sound and others attempted to 'correct' performances.
Rating:
- The only ToscaAfter this recording of Tosca, the others are unpleasant. Yes, maybe Domingo is better than Di Stefano and Bruson than Gobbi. But that's it! Nobody can do what Callas did. And of course there is De Sabata too. Sculptural. And the Diva at her best voice...
Rating:
- 5 Stars and More!!! Brava Callas!I have always been a huge fan of Maria Callas. She brought the intensity and true drama of anything she performed and she risked everything to give us glorious interpretations. Certainly is is true that she had a voice that was not traditionally considered baeutiful, but I am not one of those people who like tweety bird singers who only sing for beauty of sound(which is not true beauty at all - only a superficial one in my opinion). If a composer's wish is to have drama and life to his opera, then the singer has to obey the composer's wishes, end of story. And Callas is the one singer who did this. When neede, she sacrificed beauty for expression of the drama that is opera, and this Tosca is one of the finest examples one can hear of the drama and fire that is required in Puccini's music. This is a set that for once dispels any doubts as to its value as one of the greteast recordings of the century. It is a total perofrmance. Many people single out the second act of this recording for its dramatic intensity, but I feel that does a disservice to Callas and Puccini, as he wrote his opera as a whole combined force of several acts. Sure, the Second act does have the famous Vissi d'arte, and other great 'tunes', but I feel that the whole performance has to be taken into account. The first act is notable for its varieties and subtlties of the orchestra's playing, the second act for its bitter drama and Tosca's cry to God, and the Third Act for its heartbreaking ending (why is it that the prima donnas have to die so horribly?). Throughout the recording Callas, Gobbi, di Stefano and de Sabata create magic through their individual genius. This set has the balance of fire, intelligence, passion, and sound quality needed for a successful recording. For a 48-year-old recording, the sounds stands up well against other versions. I know I haven't reviewed the set as much as I have praised Callas, but what has been said in the other 67 reviews is sufficient I think. I urge you strongly to listen to this set and see foryourself how great music is and Callas!