Tosca (Black Dog Opera Library) [Hardcover]

Giacomo Puccini (Composer)

Book Description

Series: Black Dog Opera Library | Publication Date: January 11, 1998

The Black Dog Opera Library presents Giacomo Puccini's Tosca featuring such greats as Placido Domingo, Renata Scotto and Renato Capecchi. A marriage of music and the written word in the most complete and popularly priced package yet produced, each of these sets includes a complete opera on two Angel/EMI compact discs, accompanied by the complete libretto in its original language and English translation with annotated commentary. Full-color photographs illustrate the history of the operas, and an entertaining text discusses the musical heritage of the composers, the music and the performances.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Here is one of Puccini's greatest hits, in an affordable version for complete orchestra. This story of love, art and death in Rome during the Napoleonic wars is today considered a classic for such arias as "Vissi d'arte" (I lived for art; I lived for love), but at its premiere in 1900 it was denounced as "a shabby little shocker," for things like Baron Scarpia's lechery and Tosca's termination of him with extreme prejudice. Be aware that Dover's scores are reprints from other companies that are now out of copyright; that means that they're older versions, and lack such amenities as English translations. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English, French, Italian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (January 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8440908466
• ISBN-13: 978-8440908469
• ASIN: 1579120482
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Puccini

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect melding of music and drama., September 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tosca in Full Score (Dover Vocal Scores) (Paperback)

It was once said that Puccini's "La Boheme" was all music and no drama, while "Tosca" was all drama and no music. Yet, at least to modern listeners, "Tosca," with its resonating themes, its incredible orchestrations, and its compelling story line of love, lust, loyalty, and betrayal continues to fascinate. The full score will aid the discerning listener in enjoying the scope of Puccini's genius as music and drama come together in a breathtaking rush of melody, aria, and incredible pathos. One of opera's most detestable, yet evilly engaging, villains, Baron Scarpia, stalks with regal ominousness. Floria Tosca sings one of the most poignant arias, "Visa d'arte. Visa amore." And as the plot thickens, the listener is carried to new heights of musical drama as the lovers plan their escape. But Scarpia's evil hand reaches from beyond the veil of death to thwart their flight to love and freedom. Puccini's orchestrations, his soaring melodies, and his sense of place and time have thrilled audiences for generations. Enjoy it again with the full score, and your favorite recording!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the entire Black Dog Opera Library Series, August 21, 2003

By 

"debbbs" (Camano Island, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tosca (Black Dog Opera Library) (Hardcover)

Complete music on 2 cds, unabridged libretto, history of composer, the specific opera, historical performances...What else could you ask for for under $$$! AND you end up getting so much more out of the performance when you know the story to the music. You spend less time reading the sub-title screen and more time enjoying the performance. (Not to mention you can be a "smarty pants" and share the operas history with other patrons.)

I wish they had more than 14 operas in this collection. Also great for the opera collection is "The Book of 101 Opera Librettos" also by Black Dog.

Black Dog? Are you reading this? I want more

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like Tosca, you'll love this book, December 25, 2000

By 

Juan C. Guerra Gonzalez (New York, NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tosca in Full Score (Dover Vocal Scores) (Paperback)

The score in this book is perfect, it's a copy of an Ricordi Edition, if you are a conductor you can use it, don't confuise with the comment of the hardcover edition, the hardcover dosn't have the full score of the opera only this book. it's a good edition, if you like this opera buy this book.