- Actors: Raina Kabaivanska, Plácido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, Giancarlo Luccardi, Alfredo Mariotti
- Directors: Gianfranco De Bosio
- Writers: Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica, Victorien Sardou
- Format: PAL, Colour, DVD-Video
- Language English
- Subtitles: French
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: Exempt
- Studio: Decca
- DVD Release Date: 15 Oct 2001
- Run Time: 117 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005Q66Z
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 161,055 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
Opera is an inherently theatrical medium that does not lend itself readily to the realism of film treatment. The shining exception is Puccini's Tosca, an action-packed melodrama that unfolds in three taut and gripping acts, like the meatiest of Hollywood films noir. And unlike most operas, these three acts are set in three very specific Roman locales. Thus this 1976 film takes place in the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle (Act 1), the Palazzo Farnese (Act 2) and the Castel Sant'Angelo (Act 3). The evocative settings, however, would be mere window-dressing if the cast wasn't just right; fortunately here Placido Domingo is at his virile peak in the heroic tenor role of Cavaradossi; Raina Kabaivanska is a sultry, vocally beautiful Tosca; while a more infamous and domineering Scarpia than that of Sherrill Milnes can hardly be imagined. Bruno Bartoletti and the New Philharmonia Orchestra give lustily dramatic support.
Here the music and vocals are pre-recorded and the singers mime to the playback. Occasionally the result is a little unnatural, but overall the cast are good enough actors to bring off the conceit even in the close-ups. It all pays off triumphantly with the gripping realism of the rooftop finale, the one place where film can improve on stage. With the authenticity of the settings assured and such distinguished leads singing so well, this is an almost ideal filmed Tosca.
On the DVD: Tosca on disc is presented in 4:3 ratio with a choice of Dolby 5.1 or LPCM Stereo. The picture is adequate but a little flat (possibly because the format is NTSC not PAL) and the same can be said for the sound, which does what it should but is never revelatory. Subtitles are provided in the main European languages and Chinese. --Mark Walker
DVD Description
Audio: AC3 Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, LPCM Stereo
Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese
Menu screens: English, Chinese
Aspect ratio: 4:3
Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese
Menu screens: English, Chinese
Aspect ratio: 4:3
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This account of Tosca, using Rome as a backdrop, is escellent for both singing and acting. Kabaivanska is a winning Tosca, both in voice and appearance. Domingo is the perfect Cavaradossi but Sherrill Milnes' Scarpia is outstanding. His characterisation exudes corrupt power, suavity and lust. The whole production is very strong theatrically and musically, with scenes on location (except Palazzo Farnese). There is an 'all location' version of Tosca but this is its equal in cast and performance. This is taken from a 1976 video so there's not many 'extras' just Tracklist for individual Acts and subtitles in English French German Spanish and Chinese. The 'region 9' format sounds unusual but played without problem on my Region 2 player. Picture and sound quality (I only had stereo but there is surround) were excellent.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Beautifully filmed in the Roman Locations specified by Puccini this is a complete success. Kabaivanska was said to be the greatest Tosca of her generation and this film catches her in her absolute prime. Although there are several recordings of her performing Tosca, the live performances with Carreras (1976) and Pavarotti (1990), Kabaivanska is even finer on DVD. Her interacting with Domingo is great. Plácido Domingo is magnificent; he looks and sings in such a way that he really 'becomes' Cavaradossi (This probably sounds clichéd but I do not know a better way of describing how perfectly he gets into character). Sherrill Milnes is a superb Scarpia. This film conveys his virile voice and distinctive acting skills that made him so loved at the Met. Finally, the Orchestra with Bartoletti is very fine, especially when heard in such clear and vivid stereo sound.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This beautiful film was shot in the real settings of the story, and it is enchanting. Kaibavanska is in great voice, but Sherill Milne steals the day. His Machiavelli of a Scarpia exudes evil charisma and has the single-minded predatory approach of a hungry wolf. The best interpretation I have seen... his dark, silky menace makes Domingo's worthy Cavaradossi seem an unexiting alternative, despite a fine performance. Buy it and settle back to enjoy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
TOSCA
HAVING HAD THE PLEASURE OF ENJOYING IT THE FIRST TIME OVER 30 YEARS AGO ON
VIDEOTAPE, THE PLEASURE OF EXPERIENCING IT AGAIN ON DVD, POSSESSING SUCH
MARVELVOUS SOUND AND... Read more
VIDEOTAPE, THE PLEASURE OF EXPERIENCING IT AGAIN ON DVD, POSSESSING SUCH
MARVELVOUS SOUND AND... Read more
Published 8 months ago by John Bornak
Wonderful version of Tosca
This is the most magnificent version of Tosca I have ever seen. In adition to exquisite singing and acting, the settings in Rome are breathtaking.
Unsurpassable.... Read more
Unsurpassable.... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Valerie Perales, Brussels, Belgium
Tocsa-Puccini (1976)DVD-Domingo/Kabaivanska/Milnes
This Deutsche Grammophon edition comes complete with descriptive notes and photographs. There are few superlatives left to lavish upon Puccini's music, and here the excellent... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Derek Vernon-morris
TOSCA
This is my wifes absolute favourite, she has watched it over and over again.
This is a very good film production of the famous stage show.
This is a very good film production of the famous stage show.
Published 21 months ago by James Duff
First Class
This DVD is of first class in every way. Coupled to good service from Amazon
Published on 14 Mar 2010 by Mr. D. G. Whatley
I wanted to like it but........
I just couldn't get around the hammy acting. Even Placido Domingo, who is usually one of the best around, couldn' t act his way out of this. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2010 by Mr. N. J. Mcadam-roberts
A squalid little shocker
As is well known, this was Bernard Shaw's description of the play by Sardou upon which this opera is based. And to be truly successful a performance of Tosca should be just that. Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2010 by martin jones
Wonderful settings, disappointing singing except from Domingo
I am afraid I agree with Mel C. I came to this video expecting great things from Milnes, whom I much admire, only to be gravely disappointed and unmoved. Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2007 by Glilla Bear
Tosca(1976) Not for me
I hate criticising any production of this superb opera by Puccini but this production is not for me. Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2006 by Mel C
Enjoyable
Accorded that it was recorded in 1976,the video and sound(PCM stereo) quallity is verry good.The performance is outstanding.
A verry nice way to meet Tosca!
A verry nice way to meet Tosca!
Published on 30 Sep 2003
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