This performance of Tosca provides a fascinating and rare glimpse of two great singers in an opera that was slightly outside their normal diet of (mostly) Germanic works. Sena Jurinac brings an intelligence to the title role that one rarely hears, showing that a good Tosca needs to have more than just red-hot temperament. The great Hans Hotter sings Scarpia. Even though it was late in his career I would love to report back that his artistry nonetheless sustained him through the role. Unfortunately, it is clear that he was having an off night and the struggle to make it through the role seems to monopolize his focus. Carlo Cossutta gets a chance to display the lyricism of his voice as Cavaradossi. André Cluytens harnesses the formidable forces of the Vienna Philharmonic to exciting effect.

In Mono

OD 11107-2