Puccini: Tosca (1953) with Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi, cond. by de Sabata [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Victor de Sabata (Conductor), La Scala Theater Orchestra (Orchestra), Maria Callas (Performer), Alvaro Cordova (Performer), Angelo Mercuriali (Performer), Dario Caselli (Performer), Franco Calabrese (Performer), Giuseppe Stefano (Performer), Melchiorre Luise (Performer), Tito Gobbi (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Maria Callas, Alvaro Cordova, Angelo Mercuriali, Dario Caselli, Franco Calabrese, et al.
• Orchestra: La Scala Theater Orchestra
• Conductor: Victor de Sabata
• Composer: Giacomo Puccini
• Audio CD (December 2, 2003)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0000E3HM3
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,552 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Tosca, opera: Act 1. Ah! Finalmente!

2. Tosca, opera: Act 1. E sempre lava!

3. Tosca, opera: Act 1. Sante ampolle! Il suo ritratto!

4. Tosca, opera: Act 1. Dammi i colori...Recondita armonia

5. Tosca, opera: Act 1. Gente là dentro!

6. Tosca, opera: Act 1. Mario!...Mario!...Mario!...Son qui!

7. Tosca, opera: Act 1. Ora stammi a sentir

8. Tosca, opera: Act 1. Or lasciami al lavoro

9. Tosca, opera: Act 1. Ah, quegli occhi...Quale occhio al mondo

10. Tosca, opera: Act 1. Mia gelosa!

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Tosca, opera: Act 2. Tosca è un buon falco!

2. Tosca, opera: Act 2. Ha più forte sapore

3. Tosca, opera: Act 2. O galantuomo, come andò la caccia?

4. Tosca, opera: Act 2. Meno male!

5. Tosca, opera: Act 2. Ov'è Angelotti?

6. Tosca, opera: Act 2. Ed or fra noi parliam da buoni amici

7. Tosca, opera: Act 2. Sciarrone, che dice il Cavalier?

8. Tosca, opera: Act 2. Orsù, Tosca, parlate

9. Tosca, opera: Act 2. Floria!...Amore

10. Tosca, opera: Act 2. Salvatelo!...Io?...Voi!

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Little can be added to what's been written about this landmark recording, except that Walter Legge's 1953 mono production yields nothing to modern Tosca recordings for vivacity and theatrical impact--especially Maria Callas's. The miraculous Victor de Sabata conjures up a vibrant, inspiring orchestral canvas that enables Callas and her stellar cohorts to work their magic. Tito Gobbi and Callas spur each other on to heights in which the characters take over from the singers in the listener's mind. Giuseppe Di Stefano is on his best behavior, and in fresher voice than on his fine Leontyne Price-Herbert von Karajan remake. On this set, EMI includes texts, translations, and notes that discuss this recording in the context of Callas's mercurial career. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow!!!!, March 15, 2004

By	PennsylvaniaMartha - See all my reviews

This is my first Callas recording. I was curious about her, of course, but I was always put off by descriptions of more or less horrendous audio problems on the famous recordings. Used to modern recordings, I didn't know how I'd react to such bad sound, so I put off trying.

No more! This is a new (12/03) EMI Remaster of the famous de Sabata "Tosca" -- yes, THE definitive "Tosca" starring Callas, Di Stefano, and Gobbi. And I can tell you it sounds WONDERFUL!

Why is this set so affordable, then? I have no idea! There is no libretto included, only a slim booklet with a track list, a short synopsis of the action for each track, and one article about the opera and this performance. There is no cardboard case, and only a simple 2-part jewelcase, not the hefty one often provided with opera CD sets.

But it's enough!! It's more than enough! I'd buy these disks if they were sold loose in a paper bag. I am totally, permanently won over. This performance is simply electrifying! The music leaps out of the speakers and grabs you. Callas as Tosca had me in tears! Scarpia scared me! It's too good to believe it happened several decades ago.

All I can say is, Buy this now before they realize what a gem this is and raise the price! You won't regret it.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Tosca of the century, May 16, 2004

By	Emma de Soleil "I moved to the UK for another... (On a holiday In Ibiza, then back to the UK for studies) - See all my reviews

This recording has been showered with accolades and praise by critics, operafans, reviewers etc. etc. And listening to it a whole world comes to life. In a time when Puccini's masterpieces are destroyed by arrogant "directors" this golden age recording is like a breath of fresh air. Callas is in her prime, sounding fresh, loving, passionate and fascinating. She became Tosca, all her jealousies, passions, moods, fears are so real, so sublime and natural that you'll forget that you're listening to a recording. She cleared Tosca of those veristic, fish-wife tears after "Egli ved ch'io piango!" and her tears and agony are heard through her voice alone. Listen to Tosca's ardent "A come la sai bene l'arte di farti amare!" ... She sounds so gorgeous, so lucid and passionate, it'll warm your heart. Then there is act II with the never equalled clash between Tosca and the evil Scarpia sung and acted to perfection by Callas (Whose high Cs will chill you!) and Gobbi. (The only Scarpia) Listen to Callas' tearful, beautiful "Vissi d'arte" sung with exquisite legato, velvety warmth and most tearful colours. Pleading "Why, oh lord dost thou repay me thus?" she will break your heart! The chilling murder of Scarpia with Callas/Tosca ROARING "M'ai assai TORTURATO!!!!!" is too thrilling to describe. And the final duet sung with di Stefano and Tosca's suicide are portrayed hauntingly. Di Stefano, her favourite partner and part of the greatest operatic trio of the century (Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi) sounds sunny, charming and passionate. In short: It's the best Tosca ever recorded.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding De Sabata! Most famous and controversial Tosca! , August 7, 2004

By	Armindo (Greece) - See all my reviews

This is one of the few recordings in which the conductor attracted my attention more than the singers. This is not to dismiss the singers but De Sabata's conducting makes this the most idiomatic Tosca recording I've ever heard.

All three protagonists are heard here in their short-lived prime. Callas in firm voice is a capricious, nervous and furious Tosca. Many accuse her of overacting but here she controls herself and most outbreaks sound sincere. You won't hear the grandness, dignity and beauty of Tebaldi's Tosca but Callas' Tosca is a unique creation. No need to argue which one is better, they both are legendary and besides, tastes differ.

Di Stefano is all ardour and tenderness in this most beloved tenor role. I can already hear the manners that eventually ruined his instrument but he nevertheless is a memorable Mario. Gobbi's Scarpia frightens Tosca not because of what he is but because of what he can do. Gobbi doesn't have the huge voice that made Bastianini or London so scary but he uses his to great effect and creates a sinister Baron Scarpia. Luise's Sagristano is most convincing.

One of the greatest virtues of this old Tosca recording is its vitality and chemistry between the performers. No wonder that since its release it's impossible to make and accurate historical evaluation of Puccini's Tosca without taking it into account. Finally released at budget price!