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Tosca
This performance of Tosca captures the great Leonie Rysanek and Tito Gobbi at the tail end of their careers (although Rysanek would go on to sing character parts for the following two decades). Although some of the high Cs may have been a little more tentative than in the past, Rysanek still maintains her signature intensity and commitment. The venom with which she injects the line "Assassino" is particularly terrifying. Tito Gobbi's voice was nearly bereft of beauty by 1976, but it hardly matters as beauty of tone can often be a liability in the role of Scarpia. Nonetheless, Gobbi alternates seamlessly between Scarpia the politician and Scarpia the sociopath and proves an apt foil to Rysanek. William Johns sings the role of Cavaradossi. Johns would go on to sing the dramatic Wagner roles in the 80s and 90s. Hearing this performance makes you wish that he had stuck with less dramatic fare as he displays a youthful and lyrical tone which didn't hold up well after a steady diet of Wagner.
Track List
Act I
1. Ah! Finalmente! Nel terror mio stolto
2. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae,
3. Recondita armonia
4. Gente là dentro!!...
5. Mario! Mario! Mario!... Son qui!
6. È buona la mia Tosca, ma credente…
7. Un tal baccano in chiesa!
8. Tre sbirri... Una carrozza... Va, Tosca!
2. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae,
3. Recondita armonia
4. Gente là dentro!!...
5. Mario! Mario! Mario!... Son qui!
6. È buona la mia Tosca, ma credente…
7. Un tal baccano in chiesa!
8. Tre sbirri... Una carrozza... Va, Tosca!
Act II
9. Tosca è un buon falco!...
10. Ha più forte sapore la conquista violenta
11. Egli è là.
12. Ed or fra noi da buoni amici
13. Orsù, Tosca, parlate.
14. Floria… Amore!… Sei tu?
15. Già - Mi dicon venal
16. Vissi d'arte
17. Vedi, le man giunte io stendo a te!
18. E qual via scegliete?
19. È morto! Or gli perdono!
10. Ha più forte sapore la conquista violenta
11. Egli è là.
12. Ed or fra noi da buoni amici
13. Orsù, Tosca, parlate.
14. Floria… Amore!… Sei tu?
15. Già - Mi dicon venal
16. Vissi d'arte
17. Vedi, le man giunte io stendo a te!
18. E qual via scegliete?
19. È morto! Or gli perdono!
Act III
20. Io de' sospiri.
21. Mario Cavaradossi? A voi.
22. E lucevan le stelle
23. Ah! Franchigia a Floria Tosca...
24. Senti... l'ora è vicina
25. E non giungono...
26. L'ora. Son pronto.
21. Mario Cavaradossi? A voi.
22. E lucevan le stelle
23. Ah! Franchigia a Floria Tosca...
24. Senti... l'ora è vicina
25. E non giungono...
26. L'ora. Son pronto.
Customer Reviews
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4.0
Based on 3 reviews
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Exciting Performance in Good Sound!
There are a lot of Rysanek Toscas out there (YouTube has at least eight). Opera Depot has five right now, one as early as 1953, the others from the mid to late 70's. This one from Mannheim is probably the best of the lot. Her conception of the role had developed considerably from the 1953 broadcast and she was in good voice the night this was recorded. True, she sang "Vissi d'arte" with greater breath control on other occasions, but otherwise everything is working for her. She adds an extra "Va!" to Scarpia just before Spoletta enters in Act Two and indulges in some wonderful theatrics when she discovers Mario's death at the end.William Johns had a very pleasant tenor that he wore down by singing the Wagner heldentenor roles a bit later in his career. Here he sounds relaxed, the top free and easy, the voice under excellent control. I agree with Andy in his comments above: he should've stuck to this repertoire. Gobbi's voice had dried out a lot by this point, but he still offers an intimidating Scarpia. He and Rysanek work well together in Act Two. The other singers are very good (the Act Three shepherd is a mezzo with an especially strong voice). Hans Wallat conducts very well - Andy should really add the full cast to the pamphlet. The sound is good for an in-house tape recorded nearly a half century ago. There is some wow and flutter here and there, but it is fleeting. For fans of the singers.
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✓ Verified Buyer
Germany
For statistics the complete cast
Here's the complete cast of this Mannheim live recording (my dad has been at this performance! (the day before at Stuttgart there was also Tosca but with Domingo and Kabaivanska):Leonie Rysanek (Tosca), William Johns (Cavaradossi), Tito Gobbi (Scarpia), Hans Rössling (Angelotti), Jakob Rees (Spoletta), Don Chapman (Sciarrone), Aurelia Schwenniger (Pastore), Kurt Schneider (Carceriere), Karl Heinz Herr (Sacristano)Hans Wallat was conducting the Mannheim National Theater Orchestra and Chorus
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✓ Top Reviewer
Slovenia
Interesting Tosca
It is a nice performance of Tosca, but not very special. It is interesting to hear the voices of Gobbi and Rysanek at the end of their careers. It is clear that their voices are not in their prime, but as great singers they still manage to deliver dramatically convincing performances. Johns is a real gemm, since there are only a few recordings of him available. Sound is ok.
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