Giacomo Puccini: Tosca (TDK DVD)

Puccini, Giacomo (1858 - 1924)
Tosca

Riccardo Muti, Orchestra di Teatro alla Scala

Director Luca Ronconi

Picture Format: 16:9
Sound Format: PCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Running Time: 121 mins
Region Code: PAL All
Booklet Languages: English, German, French
Recording Date: 2000, Teatro alla Scala
Cat no.: DV-OPTOS


The revival of Luca Ronconi's version of Tosca, which he had staged during the 1996/97 season for La Scala, Milan, was a glittering success in March 2000 thanks to a refreshing makeover. The set, beautifully lavish, was re-designed by Lorenza Cantini, who enriched Ronconi's version with many new nuances and details.

La Scala's principal conductor, Riccardo Muti, assumed musical direction. Well-known for his readings of Verdi and Mozart operas, the acclaimed Neapolitan conductor has only recently turned his attention to the verismo style. He first conducted Tosca in 1991 at a concert performance of the opera in Philadelphia. Tosca at La Scala was his first staged version of the work, and the critics were unanimous in their praise of his colourful and transparent interpretation and its enthralling dramatic effects.

The soloists are all undeniably stars of La Scala: Maria Guleghina, thanks to her success as Puccini's Manon and Amelia in Verdi's Un ballo in maschera (2001). She has established herself as the leading dramatic soprano of our time. Salvatore Licitra made his Scala début as Manrico in Il trovatore (2000), later starred as Gustavo in Ballo. Leo Nucci has already proved his abilities as a Verdi baritone as Count Luna and Iago in Otello (2001) at La Scala. This ensemble of singers therefore ably represents Italy's most renowned opera house.