Tosca

Unfortunate that Amazon chooses to combine reviews of blu-ray and DVD versions of operas.The blu-ray copy I received opened on a top menu with just a blank blue bar with no means of selecting options or any way to make it play. Pity. I've owned this version on laserdisc and potentially the best version out there. Was really looking forward to having this. Other caveat, the box that it came in states that it is remastered in high definition from the original master tape. So, potentially good picture. But would not be wide screen nor HD sound. Still, would be worth having if they solve problem of opening menu and ability to play!Be very clear that my review is (was) of the blu-ray version. I've returned the blu-ray disc and have ordered the DVD.Update 8/19/2013. Received the DVD version. Apparently the blu-ray and DVD both are old style 4:3 aspect ratio and PCM sound. Lacking HD sound, 5.1 surround and wide-screen. So even if you can get a blu-ray that plays, no benefit in buying. Thanks for clarification from other reviewers and those who have commented. Nonetheless, possibly the best performance given the principals, direction and settings. So worth having. Just not technically what I had hoped for!Update 9/19/2014. Just watched, listened to Malfitano's Vissi D'Arte once again. Compared to other video versions including Callas's (yes the Callas Act II of Tosca does exist on video)I find the Malfitano version works best for me. Vocally and dramatically. She really is quite special!

I found this production strangely disappointing and it took awhile to realize why. First, the positives--the music is wonderful, the singing is great, the idea of an opera built around a political turning point of modern Italy I love (could live without the anticlericalism, but such is life). Domingo is his usual magnificent self. All that you would love about Tosca is there = 3 stars.But. The downfall is the mix of present and past. Verismo set in 1800 => keep helicopters off the set. Each entr'acte looks like the intro credits to M*A*S*H with crazy Roman traffic, plus the wupwupwup of the motor. Maybe Tosca's suicide was painless? A camera on board shows close ups Sant'Andrea della Valle, the Palazzo Farnese, and Castel Sant'Angelo. But this is overkill--we already knew the setting. That's why we're watching *this* Tosca. The helicopter's purpose seems to be to hit the viewer over the head with that fact. The helicopter shots would be great for a 1960s Italian detective movie. Here they're a verismo neutron bomb, destroying all your ability to imagine Rome in 1800.Further, this version was recorded on video tape. The medium simply looks cheesy. The alternative echt-verismo production of Tosca is the one with Domingo (of course), Kabaivanska (every bit the Tosca that Malfitano was here, maybe less stunningly attractive), and an even sleazier Scarpia in Sherrill Milnes, still in his full voice.  Puccini: Tosca  used film and is much richer for it. I greatly prefer it, but it's a bit more expensive.

I bought this film (yes, it is a film produced for TV) after visiting Rome las month and going to the three sites were the story unfolds, Church of St. Andrea della Valle, Palazzo Farnese and Castel St. Angelo. They are at walking distance from each other. Once back home watched the film. I was not disappointed, to the contrary, I felt much closer to it. This film was done in 1992, the image is 4x3, and the sound is Stereo only, but doesn’t diminish the thrill much. Even after watching and hearing many versions of Tosca, this felt closer and I could relate to it even more. There are many ways opera can be produced so it is easy to relate and enjoy. Domingo and the full cast gave us one way and it succeeded with me. I can just hope that other artists will dare experiment with all kind of new technologies and concepts out there to produce operas that we experience, enjoy and marvel every time.

Glad this finally is out on DVD. Have had to watch the tape until it is worn out. Domingo had a cold and it shows a bit in his breathing but otherwise he sang beautifully as did Malfitano. This followed the movie by Domingo about 25 years hence and he sounded as good as in the original film. Filmed at the places and times of Puccini's score with Zubin about 4 miles away in a warehouse with the orchestra. The feat was broadcast to many, many countries in real time and was an event then - the U. S. wasn't one of them as we are known for not appreciating opera in the rest of the world. Probably sad, but true. This is one of the best out on DVD, along with the original filmed version and the new one from Covent Garden with Angela, Kaufmann and Terfel.

This is an interesting take on "Tosca" in that it was filmed at the times of day in which the story unfolds. The opening helicopter shot as it circles Rome in the morning fog as it descends onto the actual church where the story begins.The opera unfolds in royal and regal splendor with spectacular sets and costumes and an unseen orchestra that will pull your socks up and your pants down!The Second ACT is spectacular in that it was actually shot in the palace where the action was supposed to have taken place.The Third ACT is powerful in that you are actually witnessing the action on the roof of the fortress.Singing is (naturally) spectacular with the orchestra's booming in the backgrounds.I highly recommend this for an unusual experiencing this "GRAND OPERA" produced brilliantly in 'todays' knowledge . . . no camera tricks or dubbing to be seen.

This is an edited version of the live broadcast but non-the-less excellent viewing

Great would buy again

Sehr schöne Aufnahme. Hervorragende Künstler an sog. "Originalplätzen". Da der Stoff fiktiv ist, aber an der Engelsburg als Schauplatz festgemacht, kann man durchaus von Originalschauplätzen sprechen. Dies birgt natürlich gewisse Schwierigkeiten akustischer Natur, die jedoch ohne weiteres bei dieser schönen Kulisse vernachlässigt werden können.jedenfalls ein wesentlich schöneres Opernerlebnis als die oftmals "modernisierten" Aufführungen, bei denen nichts zusammenpasst, die pseudointellektuell krampfhaft wirken und die Lust an Oper vergehen lassen.

Beautiful LIVE movie version. Better than on stage.as events take place at time of day and where they should...in Rome. Placido Domingo wonderful as always. Rest of cast also excellent. Rubin Mehta great conductor. Best Tosca I have seen or own. Highly recommend this.

Envío perfecto, en fecha.La grabación tiene la calidad esperada, todo un acierto.Completamente recomendable esta obra realizada en 1.992 con la particularidad de que está rodada en los tres escenarios REALES en los que se desarrolla la acción, con los maestros cantando en directo mientras reciben vía pinganillo en la oreja la interpretación simultánea de la orquesta en el estudio.