CD/DVD Releases – Week of August 14: Angela Gheorghiu Lights Up The Screen As Tosca

By Francisco Salazar

If you’re looking for multiple releases this week, only one major opera will come out. That, of course, will be a re-release that is considered a modern classic.

Tosca 

Back in 2001 award-winning filmmaker, Benoit Jacquot, directed a cinematic version of “Tosca” with Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, and Ruggero Raimondi. The film was a success and became one of the most popular film adaptations of opera in recent years.

Now, 16 years later, the film is being released in a restored version by Arthaus. For those Tosca lovers, this is a must, especially as Gheorghiu is considered one of the most important Toscas of our time.

Critics raved about her interpretation stating, “It’s an exceptionally intelligent evening, and much of what Gheorghiu does takes you by surprise. With a grand diva playing a grand diva, I half expected self-dramatization or melodrama, but in fact, she’s remarkably subtle and restrained.”

This being her first encounter with the role, it is incredible to see how her interpretation has evolved over the years. Alagna has also become one of the most sought after Cavaradossi interpreters while Raimondi was a formidable Scarpia. Antonio Pappano conducts the Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus.

 

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