Puccini: Tosca [Blu-ray] [Import]

The principal attraction of this 2010 production of Tosca from the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova is that it the staging is based on Adolf Hohenstein's original production designs from 1900. The gritty realism of the sets, particularly the Sant' Andrea chapel of Act I and in the Castel Sant' Angelo of Act III, look superb, fitting perfectly with the melodramatic verismo nature of a work that is not so much concerned with grand themes or concepts as much as in relating a human drama of love, jealousy and passion set against the backdrop of revolutionary activity, writ large in the sweep and tug of Puccini's grand score. This is how Tosca was originally meant to be seen, and this is as close as you can get to its original intentions. There's merit in this alone, but it's even better when the opera is played and sung as well as it's done here.

It would be all too easy to just go through the motions in such a well-known opera, in a very traditional production and it's easy for the listener to become blasé about yet another production of Tosca, but there's no sign of any complacency here from any of the main performers and never any danger of the listener remaining detached from it all. There's a real sense of commitment in Daniela Dessì's Floria Tosca and in Fabio Armiliato's Caravadossi. Neither are as young as they used to be, and the close-ups in High Definition are rather unforgiving, but there's no substitute for experience. There's scarcely a weakness anywhere in their performances or their singing, a perfect pairing who work exceptionally well together. You don't often get that, and it's something remarkably special when you get such a connection.

Neither singer gives any sense of this being a prestige performance, but both are clearly totally involved in the roles for the sake of the drama. It's unfortunate then that the performance here includes in-the-moment encores for 'Vissi d'arte' and 'E lucevan le stelle' that disrupts the dramatic flow, but on the other hand, it is a recording of a live performance of a popular work for a paying public and there's no question that the encores called for here are merited and impressively reprised. Claudio Sgura isn't quite as strong as Scarpia, but it's a fine attempt at a more human performance of a role that is more often played - and unfortunately scored as such by Puccini - as a caricature baddie.

Superbly directed for TV, capturing all the intensity and passion of the live performance as well as the beauty of the stage production, this Tosca looks and sounds tremendous on Blu-ray. Image and sound are just about flawless. There are no extra features on the disc and no synopsis in the booklet, but the background to the work and its plot are covered in an essay. BD25, 1080i full-HD, PCM Stereo and DTS HD-Master Audio 5.1, All regions, subtitles are in Italian, English, German, French, Spanish and Korean.

In the second act I had the strange feeling that I was watching Callas. Except that in this performance, not only does Dessi look like Callas, but her voice has a similar rich, intensity and her acting is even more moving. I know this sounds like blasphemy, but I don't make the statement lightly. In all fairness, I should point out some lacks in this version. First, because this is a live performance, some of the make-up while appropriate for the stage, is overdone for the close-ups of video. Same goes for coming in for a close-up of the dead Claudio Squra visibly still breathing after being knifed by Dessi. But these are quibbles. Overall a very special, high resolution blu ray production in a traditional staging and setting.

By the way, because this is a live performance in front of a very knowledgeable and appreciative audience, something extra happens in the second act, then again in the third. I don't want to spoil your delight or surprise by telling you what, but be prepared for something rare and wonderful!

SINGING AND PRODUCTION ARE EXCELLENT. TOSCA AND CAVARADOSSI SING NICE TOGETHER. BARON SCARPIA IS ALSO EXCELLENT AND HIS CHARACTER AND VOICE FIT THE PART.