In response to David R's comment on the sound, I find that (as with many other "audience recordings") you will benefit from using in-ear [NOT necessarily 'inner-ear'] headphones. The sound becomes more immediate and you (should) have to strain less in order to understand the text. Of course, this is all relative and my suggestion will never render these problematic recordings anywhere near as good as broadcasts...but bearing with such a marvellous performance as this Tosca is well worth the effort!

This sounds like an exciting performance of Tosca and from what I could make out of it, it is. Dame Josephine is a wonderfully feminine and slightly hysterical Tosca, singing with security and easy top notes. She lets out a great scream at the end too! Kenneth Collins makes singing Cavaradossi sound easy and Geoffrey Chard is a terrifying Scarpia, also very well sung. What's the problem? The sound. This was recorded by someone sitting out in the audience who wasn't close enough to catch the words of the singing translation (I think it's the same one used on the Chandos Opera in English set). Occasionally one can make out a few words (usually when Chard is singing). The voices themselves can be heard, but also can get swamped by the orchestra. I wanted to hear what Barstow did with Tosca's famous Act Two curtain line, but she's barely audible.Recommended to Tosca and/or Barstow followers. Others not used to in-house tapes may find this too frustrating for enjoyment.

So far only heard first act so rating difficult

Geoffrey Chard is one of the most subtle and frightening Scarpias specifically because he is so understated. Singing in English, he has no need to bluster or exaggerate and it pays dividends (the same is true of his Escamillo – quite the best I ever heard/saw). I saw this production of Tosca with this very cast and it was in every way splendid.