Opera Depot already has another Tosca recording with Bjoner (#11987) that is very good, but the voices are slightly recessed. This performance is taken either from a broadcast or a house tape preserved in excellent sound. Bjoner is marvelous as Tosca. One can hear that she's actually thinking about what she's singing as the music happens. Her voice is in shining condition with little of the unsteadiness that could plague her sometimes and all of her top notes are right on the mark. Her more restrained choices in the dramatic moments pay off. I loved her chilling delivery of the Act 2 curtain line "E avanti a lui...".Spiess sings resonantly with strong top notes (whoever does his Act 2 offstage scream of pain deserves a raise!). The American baritone Tipton justifies his reputation as one of the best singers in Germany during this time. The supporting cast has a great Sacristan in the veteran Max Proebstl and an Angelotti in Hans Wilbrink who gets the proceedings off to a great start with his breathless, frantic entrance. Santi keeps everything together well. The "E non giungono?" section of the last act duet between Tosca and Cavaradossi is missing from the tape.Tosca lovers and fans of the singers should get this.