Puccini: Tosca - Rysanek, G. Raimondi, Adam, Grundheber; Atzmon. Hamburg, 1975

$8.95



Listen to a Sample:

 

Pros:

  • Despite the limitations of the sound (more on that below), a truly wonderful performance manages to emerge.
  • Leonie Rysanek is on fire in the title role, delivering endless reserves of opulent sound as well as some very refined singing during "Vissì d'arte".
  • Gianni Raimondi brings a touch of class to the role of Cavaradossi.
  • I never really thought of Theo Adam as a Scarpia but he manages to meet Rysanek at her level of intensity.
  • Franz Grundheber, as Angelotti, makes much of his few scenes.

Cons:

  • The pitch wavered a lot on these tapes. I did my best to correct it but it was a moving target throughout the recording.
  • Large sections are missing from this performance including the Sacristan scenes and the opening of Act III.

In Mono

BONUS:
Extended excerpt from Act II of Tosca with Leonie Rysanek, William Johns and Tito Gobbi
Mannheim, 1976

OD 11907-2