Puccini: Tosca [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Giacomo Puccini (Performer), Leontyne Price (Conductor), Fernando Corena (Artist), Giuseppe Taddei (Artist), Giuseppe di Stefano (Artist), Herbert Von Karajan (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Giacomo Puccini
• Conductor: Leontyne Price
• Audio CD (March 14, 2000)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00004C8TD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,690 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 1962 recording is viewed as a type of classic. Conductor Herbert von Karajan elicits first-class symphonic playing from his Vienna forces, with great attention to every detail of Puccini's strong score, and Decca's producers have create a soundstage that is magnificent, with layer upon layer of sound, distant effects sounding distant, and a clarity that must be admired. Tempi tend to be broad, but the drama builds nonetheless. Leontyne Price sings with great potency and really acts the spoiled diva. Where she fails is in the details--Tosca's traits are generalized--and in her ugly, truck driver-like chest register she brings forth for emphasis every so often. Giuseppe di Stefano was, by '62, a vocal shadow of his former self: he's involved and interesting, but the sound ranges from weak to horrendous, and if you listen carefully, you'll hear one of the worst cracks on a high note ever, at the end of his last-act duet with Tosca. Giuseppe Taddei, too, was in vocal decline, but he overcomes his problems often enough and his Scarpia is truly a terrifying portrait. So, a mixed bag. Fans of Price and Karajan (and audiophiles) will need this; others are directed toward Callas and di Stefano from a decade earlier on EMI. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Woo Hoo! My favorite Tosca, June 8, 2000

By 

Trevor Gillespie "sol_man" (San Jose, California United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Puccini: Tosca (Audio CD)

This is the Tosca. The orchestra is what makes this set so awesome. Karajan alternates between driving and charging the music with power and skillfully extracting the emotions and subtleties of the score. Translation: the big parts are big, grand, and powerful----the emotional parts are transparent, aching, and beautiful. The singing is top notch. Although Di Stefano was starting to decline a bit, he still offers a wonderful role. Ms. Price is incredible. The drama, singing, and beauty she brings to the table effectively fuse with Karajan's style of conducting. The most important thing to me that this set has over the Callas/Di Stefano recording on EMI is the sound. This is in stereo and remastered to sound incredible. The EMI is in mono and although remastered, it isn't able to bring out the orchestral clarity and brilliance that the Karajan recording does. For that reason, it is my obvious first choice.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous sound, too bad about Di Stefano, May 1, 2000

By 

J. Buxton "cantabile" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Puccini: Tosca (Audio CD)

The two most positive aspects of this recording are the amazing Leontyne Price and the glorious playing and sound of the Vienna Philharmonic. Price is simply stunning and her voice is nimble and fresh and she is completely absorbed in her character. Karajan too is to be credited with sensitive conducting. There are some drawbacks however. Di Stefano, although still a fine Cavaradossi, has really passed his prime and sounds really strained on some higher notes. Taddei also has been better. The earlier Di Stefano with Callas and Gobbi remains my favorite account of this wonderful opera. If you are looking for a cheaper investment, you might try Jose Carreras and Monserrat Caballe with Colin Davis conducting on Phillips Duo series, another fine account.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB SOUND, January 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Puccini: Tosca (Audio CD)

AT LONG LAST!! The remastered version!!! Much much much better in sound quality than the fragile, glassy CD version before. Now more than ever before we hear Leontyne Price in her full glory!!!!