Rating: 
Summary: Don't be so hard on Behrens!
Review: No, she isn't Tebaldi, but watch how involved and totally commited she is to the character. You can believe that the two leads are in love (and not that cliched opera-acting, don't get too close you'll wrinkle my gown I can't look at this person I'm supposedly in love with because I stare at the conductor all evening way). She touches Domingo and looks into his eyes. Plus, instead of some kind of cool Germanicism or I'm-too-good-for-this-Italian-trash-because-I-do-Brunnhilde attitude, you get a fully commited warm-blooded performance. And yes, even though the Zeffirelli production is SO tired, it's still so beautiful.
Rating: 
Summary: too flawed to recommend
Review: The main attraction of this DVD is the chance you don't get these days - to see Domingo not on vocal autopilot. Behrens may not be Tebaldi but she was a fine actress and Tosca gave her a chance to shine. The problem is MacNeil's vocally threadbare Scarpia. By this stage his "singing" was simply terrible (pitch problems, dry sound, no legato phrasing). Several other baritones would have been a far better choice but, then, most Met "old timers" know that backstage politics has far more to do with casting than talent. A better choice is the Kabaivanska/Domingo/Milnes video. Wait for it to come to DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Best
Review: The secret to a successful performance of TOSCA is the dramatic tension linking the three main characters: the good Floria Tosca, her lover Cavaradossi, and the evil Scarpia. For the performance to work, the audience must be convinced of the evil nature of Scarpia. Cornell MacNeil's Scarpia oozes evil through every pore. His lewd leers at Tosca, and the ease with which he orders all manner of torture, seeming to enjoy it as much as others are repulsed by it, provides an authentic flavor to his character. Placido Domingo's voice is at its very best, and to hear him sing Cavaradossi is, in itself, enough reason to enjoy this production. Hildegard Behrens is a convincing Tosca, especially in the dramatic "This is Tosca's kiss!" She nearly injures her voice as she growls at Scarpia, "Mori, mori, mori"--"Die, die, die." No other Tosca has better dispatched the unbearably monstrous Scarpia. The staging, lighting, set, and Sinopoli's conducting are simply marvelous, as is usually the case at the Met. You can almost smell the incense, as Scarpia struts around inside the church. Of all the available performances of Tosca, this is the most dramatic, with excellent singing, acting, and casting. It will transport you back in history, and you will share the almost delicious pathos of the participants. This is the very best Tosca.
Rating:
Summary: the very best Tosca--here's why
Review: The secret to a successful performance of TOSCA is the dramatic tension linking the three main characters: the good Floria Tosca, her lover Cavaradossi, and the evil Scarpia. For the performance to work, the audience must be convinced of the evil nature of Scarpia. Cornell MacNeil's Scarpia oozes evil through every pore. His lewd leers at Tosca, and the ease with which he orders all manner of torture, seeming to enjoy it as much as others are repulsed by it, provides an authentic flavor to his character. Placido Domingo's voice is at its very best, and to hear him sing Cavaradossi is, in itself, enough reason to enjoy this production. Hildegard Behrens is a convincing Tosca, especially in the dramatic "This is Tosca's kiss!" She nearly injures her voice as she growls at Scarpia, "Mori, mori, mori"--"Die, die, die." No other Tosca has better dispatched the unbearably monstrous Scarpia. The staging, lighting, set, and Sinopoli's conducting are simply marvelous, as is usually the case at the Met. You can almost smell the incense, as Scarpia struts around inside the church. Of all the available performances of Tosca, this is the most dramatic, with excellent singing, acting, and casting. It will transport you back in history, and you will share the almost delicious pathos of the participants. This is the very best Tosca.
Rating:
Summary: In overall, a great TOSCA!!
Review: There are three great aspects to this opera: Domingo, who's the best Cavaradossi there can be; Giuseppe Sinopoli, who gives an incredible understanding of the opera and makes you want to cry with his conducting; and Zeffirelli, who makes a richly detailed background as few others. Its true that Hildegard Behrens and Cornell MacNeil are not the best Tosca and Scarpia there can be, but they do get a great deal out of their characters and are OK. But even so, this production is great, and the recording is excellent, giving you a shining sound as I have seen on no other DVD yet. A minor drawback is the lack of other DVD features and that there are just english subtitles. Still, its great, and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Still waiting for the definitive Tosca
Review: This is undoubtedly a powerful performance, with both Behrens and Domingo singing and acting superbly. Sinopoli's conducting is first rate, and the sets are stunning. And yet, for reasons I can't quite explain, something is missing in Behrens' Tosca. She really puts herself into the role, yet I just don't see her as Tosca in the way that Domingo is Mario Cavaradossi. This is purely subjective on my part, and if you are a fan of Behrens, her performance will definitely excite you.
Rating: 
Summary: Tosca and Scarpia should have been different!
Review: This performance, with Sinopoli conducting and the Zeffirelli sets, always thrills the audience. However, this particular cast was not appropriate. Except for Domingo, who is always first rate, Behrens doesn't have the Italianate sound, nor is she believable in the role of the beautiful singer. McNeil, now at the end of is career is stale. His tone is flat and unpassionate. The DVD I am waiting to buy is the Rome Production with Mehta as conductor, Domingo, Malfitano and Raimondi. Set in the actual places occurred, it is magnificent. Catherine Malfitano is a wonderful Tosca, Domingo is young and in top voice. Raimondi is a villainous Scarpia. This was like a movie-no clapping, no scenery rumbling. Please do yourself a favor and wait for this one.
Rating:
Summary: The Best "Tosca" Available on Video!
Review: This version, with Placido Domingo as Cavarodossi and Robert McCracken as Scarpia, is the best one I've ever seen. Domingo is famed in this century for the excellence of his Cavarodossi, and in this video you can plainly see why. You'd have to be made of stone not to cry like a baby after hearing his "E lucevan stelle" in the last act. Hildegard Beherens has the best rendition of "Vissi d'Arte" I've heard, better than Callas, than Marton, than Van Ness. Mac's Scarpia is amazingly evil; in his costume and makeup he looks somewhat like a toad, but his voice is a beautiful, rich baritone- almost too beautiful for this villainous role. All of them together make for a perfect casting of this opera, one of Puccini's best- not a single wasted note, action, or aria. "Tosca" is a jewel among Puccini's works- more accessible than "Butterfly" and "Turandot"- a good work for those just starting their enjoyment of this art form. And this version is a fine addition to the collection of afficionado and beginner alike.
Rating:
Summary: Worth it, buy it
Review: Unlike some, I wasn't thrilled with the sound quality of this DVD, but it is a solid performance in every way -- outstanding in a few ways. The outstanding: Domingo -- in fine voice, and very much looking the part of Cavaradossi; the conducting by Sinopoli -- truly dramatic and intense leadership; the Zeffirelli sets -- deluxe to the nth degree. The solid: Behrens as Tosca -- vocally powerful, but dramatically somewhat stiff; MacNeil -- wonderfully oily as Scarpia, a distinctive interpretation, but past his prime and rather weak of voice (esp. by comparison with Domingo & Behrens). Although the audience was a little clap-happy, applauding even for the singers' entrances (before they'd sung a word), I found myself getting into the performance with the audience. On the whole, a very good DVD -- your best bet for this opera.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: What can I say? In the thirteen years (has it really been that long?) since I first saw this video, I have worn out two copies. Tosca is my favorite opera of Puccini's, and this is the only good film I have seen. I would go out of my way at any time to see Domingo, since he isn't wooden, as is the style in opera today. His voice soars, and he actually brings something to Cavarodossi. Behrens is an unforgettable Tosca (although I've often thought Tosca should be a little younger - but this isn't a crack on her.)
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