Rating: 
Summary: I wish it was a CD...
Review: As one of the previous reviewers rightfully remarked, this is a thrilling production! It will surely send shivers down your spine. In fact those shivers might remain even after you have finished watching this opera! Why, the mere thought of it will make you shudder!!! It is not only the shallowness of the staging and performance, unimaginative light and set design, horrible acting... I suppose it is the unique combination of all those elements (to name the main ones) that makes this production so remarkable! And those lovely close-ups favored by the director of the video version! Behrens tenderly embracing Domingo's neck - malicious smile on her lips - some rolling of the eyes to show her passion - her grip on Domingo's neck tightening with every higher note she sings - mild surprise expressed on Domingo's face - Behrens getting higher and higher - Domingo getting blue in the face - despair in his eyes - a brief struggle for breath - Behrens doesn't give up easily - Hurray! ' Cavaradossi releases Tosca's clutch, gulps some air and starts his aria... Well, the only argument in favor of this production is Placido Domingo's incredible - breathtaking voice! It has become almost a banality to say that Domingo is one of the greatest tenors in history. After hearing this recording I can only say that he really is!!! But believe me, this production is an extremely rocky path to this knowledge! Are you sure you'll make it to the end?? :)
Rating: 
Summary: Pardon me, but Brunnhilda just doesn't fit this role.
Review: Behrens sings the part and acts the part well enough. She just doesn't look the part. For one thing, at this stage of her career she was just too old to play Tosca; at least, not in a production to be filmed. From my cheap seats in the balcony it might not have been so bad, but with all these close-ups it's very distracting. That's the only problem with this marvelous production of my favorite opera, but it's a bad one. Cornell MacNeil is a wonderfuly despicable Scarpia, and as with most productions, a well-played villain is the key. Conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli is masterful, and Placido's Cavaradossi rivals (I stress rivals) that of Pavarotti in his youth. Overall, magnifico, if you can get past a Tosca with cellulite.
Rating:
Summary: Good; But just Good
Review: Domingo gets 5 stars in this performance of tosca. his voice is at its most dark and dramatic stage and it fits the role perfectly. His aria's are tear jerking and the pathos with which he carries himself is maddeningly exciting. He commands the stage whenever he is on it and you can see and feel the excitement in his acting. E lucevan le stelle was the highlight of the Dvd. There is the occasionally nasal high note but; whatever he was still fabulous!Behrens does fine. I do, however, have a few problems with her . Her voice is drmatic and glorious but there are many suspicious passages where you arent sure if she is purposly croaking in anger for effect or whether she has lost control of her voice. Her speaking voice is ghastly when she uses it, hoarse and hard to listen to. Other than that she is a joy to hear. Her high notes are full and forceful right to the end of an extremely difficult role. Her tone is, however, evocative of Wagner and if that bothers you then you wont like her Tosca. I disagree with the argument that she is not a convincing looking tosca. Part of what I love about opera is that its not about the beauty of thee performer. She is not a youngster or a knockout, but that didn't keep me from beleiving she was in love with the dramatic painter.
Scarpia was poor.
His acting was extremely convincing but his singing was poor. It was hard to listen to his forced sound for several hours. His vibrato came in, occasionally, but more often it was straight and flat. When he sings high he appers to be under great strain. This is too bad because i have hear Macneills Scarpia on records in hbis prime and It is really quite excellent; but not here! This role was too much for macneils aging voice to handle.
BR>If you can get past scarpia this is a excellent Tosca, and certainly a must have for Domingo fans!
Rating: 
Summary: A Thrilling, Heart Pounding Tosca!
Review: Hildegard Behrens was the controversial choice for this Tosca - which delighted, frustrated and infuriated opera goers then - and still does. Opinions are almost nowhere near the middle on this - you either love this or you HATE it. I LOVE it.
Behrens sinks her teeth into as sensual a Tosca as one is ever likely to see . . . she's flirty and almost funny in Act 1 and develops a fully integrated character. Her desperation in the rape/murder scene, her earlier revulsions, rage and remorse are palpable. While the voice is not, admittedly, "Italianate" she still has the necessary Italian sense of "morbidezza" - and the even the catches in her throat humanize this Tosca.
Zeffirelli picture perfect recreation of Puccini's three acts that is without a doubt one of the best things he's given us.
Domingo is heroic (if not always in best voice) and McNeil's hamminess is effective in an over-the-top (if not particularly sensual) Scarpia.
Sinapoli, despite bad press and some tough times with the Met band, gives a taut, dramatic reading.
Again, Behrens gives her all - her suicide leap is breathtaking - instead of a Tosca jumping off to her death, Behrens's Tosca actually jumps UP - almost as if she expected to meet Scarpia before God right then . . . and then "swoosh" down she falls . . . it's chilling!
Rating:
Summary: Tosca? Not!!
Review: I agree that Behrens just wasn't the fulfillment of Tosca. She is always committed and gives her best - it just wasn't enough for this role - she does Strauss and Wagner much better! This is a terrific performance by Domingo. Not that his others aren't, but I thought he put more into this one than some of the others I've seen on video and in person. No! Pav can't compare to Domingo in this role! This ranks 3rd with me of videos featuring Domingo: the old movie, shot in Rome as well, is my favorite; "The Settings and Times" Rome, with Mehta and Malfitano, 2nd, and Verona with Marton (her "Vissi" was probably the best on video), ties this one for 3rd due to weaker cast members. I have it on vhs and LD and consider it important to the collection for the production and Domingo alone. But the casting is not up to par with the others. I recently saw Malfitano with Leech in LA and they were performing at the top of their game. She is a terrific Tosca and his voice and acting have improved remarkably. If you can only have one video of Tosca, get the movie or Rome, however, if you want 3, buy this and enjoy the production and a "different" cast. Above all, Domingo's arias are really very hard to beat in any video version - by any tenor in the last 40 years (including Corelli)!!! This is one of his very best roles in every way! There are better Scarpias than Cornell; he was menacing but his voice was a bit tattered. It's also nice to see the consistent performance of Domingo from his 30's through his 50's! I'm sorry he has retired the role but aging does in the very best.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Stage Version Of Tosca
Review: I also felt that Behrens was wrong for the part of Tosca, her voice was too heavy, I believe she is a Wagnerian singer (I'm not sure, I hate Wagner); however once I got into the thing I loved her and everything else about this production. Domingo was breathtaking. I don't know how I feel about a suave Scarpia, I think I prefer a more brutal one, I think the suavity clashes with what he's saying and planning to do. The 2nd act which has only one tune in it was for me a little boring as usual, but the drama and excitement were intense (which I guess is a contradiction). I had a wonderful time watching and listening to this DVD, and except for Behrens' voice would highly recommend it without reservation. The crowd went wild at everything, even applauding the scenery which was also wonderful and, in this day of the modern approach, a pleasure and a relief. Only one other quibble, and that was the conductor. I thought he hammed up his conducting and looked embarrassingly foolish. I wouldn't mention it except it bugged me.
Rating:
Summary: Zeffirelli steals this show
Review: I don't share other's enthusiasm for MacNeil's Scarpia. He looks like a benevolent Grandpa! Now if you've ever seen Gobbi play this part you know what evil looks like! The star of the show is Franco Zeffirelli. I saw this production at Covent Garden and the sets are breathtaking, particularly of Act 1. The video conveys this very well indeed. Domingo is of course superb and Behrens is in fine voice. I'd be nervous about kissing a girl with those top teeth though! Her Vissi d'arte is lovely, but, unlike Domingo, she can't act for toffee. It's a great evening's entertainment and I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Cornell MacNeil is spectacular as Scarpia!
Review: I have five "Toscas" on video and DVD. This production, done at the Met in NYC, is the best of the lot. I Have seen this same production at the Met and the scenery is wonderful. I agree it is Placido Domingo's best performances on video. Hildegard Behrens plays a very charming and believable Tosco. Her performance in ActII with Cornell MacNiel as Scarpia is particularly moving. But it is MacNeil who steals the show! He play the part of the villain with such exactness and facial expressions that at times he looks like Dracular! He is also in excellent voice for this performance. This is a "don't miss" Tosca.
Rating:
Summary: Cornell MacNeil is spectacular as Scarpia!
Review: I have five "Toscas" on video and DVD. This production, done at the Met in NYC, is the best of the lot. I Have seen this same production at the Met and the scenery is wonderful. I agree it is Placido Domingo's best performances on video. Hildegard Behrens plays a very charming and believable Tosco. Her performance in ActII with Cornell MacNiel as Scarpia is particularly moving. But it is MacNeil who steals the show! He play the part of the villain with such exactness and facial expressions that at times he looks like Dracular! He is also in excellent voice for this performance. This is a "don't miss" Tosca.
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed feelings about this DVD
Review: I have to confess to having very mixed feelings about this release, which judging by all the reviews I have read is not the general consensus of opinion. Still never mind - it would be a boring world indeed if we all agreed about everything. I have seen this production at Covent Garden (with the same diva as here - except at the performance I was at she was booed at her curtain call. Not by me I hasten to add). But even at Covent Garden I felt she wasn't right for Tosca - and here I still feel the same. I agree with the reviews that she is a regal Tosca, and acts well, but for me she doesn't get under the skin of the role. Watch Callas or Marton and you will see what I mean. Now, watch or listen to her singing Elektra or Brunnhilde and you can see her in a fach totally suited to this great singing actress - but for me not Tosca. Domingo is great in the role, totally convincing and giving his usual excellent performance - but I am afraid that no one can sing Cavarodossi for me like Pavarotti. I saw Sam Ramey as Scarpia at Covent Garden and he was just perfection personified. The production is perfect - the attention to detail takes your breath away, and lets face it, this is an excellent DVD. But, and for me it is a big but, it just lacks that final touch. A shame, but not quite right. However, before my review influences your decision, just remember everyone else seems to love it. How subjective reviews are!
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