Tosca

Puccini's warhorse, one of the most popular of all operas, leaves the stage far behind in this 1992 performance, which was televised live in three segments from the very locations in Rome where the story is set, at the times when the action is supposed to occur. This was obviously a difficult project to pull off, with the orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehta playing in a separate venue while the singers listened over tiny receivers and kept to precisely choreographed routines so the cameras and microphones could catch their voices and movements without intruding into the shots. The result is remarkably successful in both visual and musical senses. The locales—the interior of the Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle, the Palazzo Farnese, and the Castel Sant'Angelo—are magnificent, and between acts a helicopter trip transports us to each one. Catherine Malfitano is in strong voice and delivers a passionate performance as the diva in love with the painter Cavaradossi, whom she tries to save from execution at the hands of the evil police chief Scarpia. Plácido Domingo sings the former with his customary brio, while Ruggero Raimondi makes a splendidly malevolent villain. The only drawback is the orchestral sound; Mehta conducts vividly, but the Rome RAI Orchestra is a mite distant, sonically speaking. Still, this remains a special Tosca, not only for its technical virtuosity but also for the full-blooded performance and unique visuals. Presented in LPCM stereo, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)