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This recording of Puccini's “Tosca“ from 1953, featuring Maria Callas as Floria Tosca, Tito Gobbi as Baron Scarpia, and Giuseppe di Stefano as Mario Cavaradossi, is widely considered to be one of the greatest opera recordings of all time. Recorded with the Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano conducted by Victor de Sabata, the recording captures the intensity and drama of the opera, and the performances by Callas, Gobbi, and di Stefano are highly acclaimed. Callas's portrayal of Tosca is known for its emotional depth and intensity, and her vocal performance is considered one of the best of her career. Gobbi's Scarpia is chilling and menacing, and di Stefano's Cavaradossi is passionate and lyrical. GIACOMO PUCCINI 1858–1924 Turandot Opera in three acts · Libretto: Giuseppe Adami & Renato Simoni after Carlo Gozzi Last duet and finale of the opera completed by Franco Alfano La principessa Callas Calaf (Il principe ignoto)......................Eugenio Fernandi Liù.........................................................Elisabeth Schwarzkopf L’imperatore Altoum ...........................Giuseppe Nessi Zaccaria Borriello Ercolani Pong, Il principino di De Palma Un Mauri Prima Fusco Seconda Perotti Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano Chorus master: Norberto Mola Tullio Serafin TRACK LIST Act I 0:00 Scene 1: “Ah! Finalmente! Nel terror mio stolto“ (Angelotti) 2:03 Scene 2: “E sempre lava!“ (Sagrestano, Cavaradossi) 4:17 Scene 3: “Sante ampolle! Il suo ritratto!“ (Sagrestano, Cavaradossi) 5:31 Scene 3: “Dammi i colori! … Recondita armonia“ (Cavaradossi, Sagrestano) 9:54 Scene 4: “Gente là dentro!“ (Cavaradossi, Angelotti, Tosca) 11:04 Scene 5: “Mario! Mario! Mario! … Son qui!“ (Tosca, Cavaradossi) 13:06 Scene 5: “Ora stammi a sentir“ (Tosca, Cavaradossi) 16:16 Scene 5: “Or lasciami al lavoro“ (Cavaradossi, Tosca) 18:03 Scene 5: “Ah, quegli occhi…“ (Tosca, Cavaradossi) 19:37 Scene 5: “Mia gelosa!“ (Tosca, Cavaradossi) 23:12 Scene 6: “È buona la mia Tosca“ (Cavaradossi, Angelotti) 26:42 Scene 7: “Sommo giubilo, Eccellenza!“ (Sagrestano, Chorus) 28:04 Scene 8: “Un tal baccano in chiesa!“ (Scarpia, Sagrestano, Spoletta) 31:47 Scene 9: “Tosca? Che non mi veda“ (Scarpia, Tosca, Sagrestano) 34:36 Scene 9: “Ed io venivo a lui tutta dogliosa“ (Tosca, Scarpia) 38:21 Scene 9: “Tre sbirri, una carrozza“ (Scarpia, Spoletta, Chorus) Act II 56:25 “Dov'è dunque Angelotti?“ 58:20 “Ed or fra noi parliam da buoni amici“ 1:02:41 “Orsù, Tosca, parlate -Non so nulla!“ 1:06:00 “Nel pozzo del giardino“ 1:15:57 “Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore“ Act III 1:42:28 “E lucevan le stelle“ 1:46:59 “Ah! Franchigia a Floria Tosca“ 1:49:52 “O dolci mani mansuete e pure“ 1:55:31 “E non giungono“ 1:58:12 “Come è lunga l'attesta!“ 2:00:14 “Presto, su! Mario!“ CREDITS Floria Tosca – Meneghini-Callas (Soprano) Mario Cavardossi – Giuseppe di Stefano (Tenor) Scarpia – Tito Gobbi (Baritone) Cesare Angelotti – Franco Calabrese (Bass) Spoletto – Angelo Mercuriali (Tenor) Shepherd-boy – Alvaro Cordova (Boy Soprano) Chorus – Chorus Of La Scala, Milan Chorus Master – Vittore Veneziani Conductor – Victor De Sabata Orchestra – Orchestra Of La Scala, Milan Remastered 2014 from the original tapes by Abbey Road Studios.
