It's a tradtion in Tosca that a number of lines written to be sung are spoken: "Quanto? Il prezzo!" "Muori, muori, muori!" and the great Act Two curtain line "E avanti a lui tremava tutta Roma!" just to give a few examples. In this performance, many more lines are snarled or shouted - very convincingly, but it all gets to be a bit much. The three leads all indulge, but Bacquier is especially egregious in this regard. This isn't so much a criticism as it is an observation. The performance is very dramatic and well-sung, but you have been forewarned.Collier was always an excellent Tosca. Her responses to her colleagues sound totally spontaneous and she has no difficulty with the music. Her elegiac "Vissi d'arte" is lovely though the audience can't be bothered to applaud. Cioni is good, probably better when seen. A recording deprives him of his handsome stage presence. Bacquier is a frightening Scarpia though (as mentioned above) one given to bombastic shouting. The supporting cast is first-rate as is Downes' conducting.A pity the Scarpia/Tosca scene from Act One is missing, but there we are. The sound is very listenable and pitched correctly. Acts One and Two are contained on the first disc, Act Three is on the second with three of Aïda's big scenes sung by Collier as a filler (she sings extremely well too though hers isn't what one usually considers an Aida voice.)

Collier is a fiery TOSCA, and with her attractive open sound, clean diction and care with words and phrasing, a communicative and moving one. Her Caravadossi, Renato Cioni has and attractive flexible voice, but initially seems no match for his TOSCA, though he has plenty of metal in his voice for the big moments and delivers some sweet soft singing. It is a shame the act 1 duet between Collier and her Scarpia ( Gabrielle Bacquier) is missing as the baritone is better when his beautiful voice is not under pressure. He eschews the choice of turning Scarpia into a snarling villain but the voice lacks the bite for the role, and he resorts to shouting in the big moments.This recording, in good sound, is a welcome addition to the discography of Marie Collier, a much under recorded singer.