Search - Giacomo Puccini, David Parry, Jane Eaglen :: Jane Eaglen sings highlights from Tosca

One of Eaglen's finest performances.......

Sam | Seahurst, Washington | 09/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Parry with Jane Eaglen, in one of her finest performances on disc, directs a gripping account of Puccini's red-blooded drama, sung in English. With the help of opulent, atmospheric Chandos sound, the bite and energy of the Philharmonia brings out the expressive warmth of the score, not least in the love music, whether in the power of the big tuttis or in magical, whispered pianissimos. What above all seals the success of the setis the power and command of Jane Eaglen as Tosca. The confident sureness with which she attacks every top note is a delight, so that in Act I she expresses her jealousy with the vehemence of a Wagnerian, while singing with warm, rounded tone. She is well matched by Dennis O'Neill as Cavaradossi, aptly Italianate, and Gregory Yurisich makes a powerful Scarpia, younger-sounding than most and therefore a plausible lover. The others are well cast too, notably Peter Rose as a fresh voiced Angelotti. The Geoffrey Mitchell Choir and children's choir are superb in the crowd scenes of Act I."