Search - Puccini, Bjorling, Milanov :: Tosca

A 1950'S TOSCA AT THE OLD MET

03/19/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a wonderfully old fashioned performance of "Tosca", not unlike one that surely would have been presented at the Metropolitan Opera in the late 1950's. All three of the star singers were giants in their field, all enjoyed long careers, and all are fondly remembered and greatly revered. Bjoerling was in pristine vocal condition here. The voice has a beauty, which to my ears, is without peer in this music. This is, one feels, how the role was meant to be sung. There is youth, passion, and lyricism in abundant supply. Surely even Enrico Caruso would not have sung this music more beautifully than does Bjoerling on this recording. The Baron Scarpia of Leonard Warren, while distinguished and appropriately menacing in a general sort of way, is not on such an exalted level. His voice does not seem to have been ideal for this role, as his uncharacteristic shouting and scooping may indicate. The natural flow of voice and tone that marked Warren's Verdi singing does not transfer well to Puccini's Baron Scarpia. And what of the Floria Tosca of the fabled Zinka Milanov? She was probably a few years past her vocal prime at the time of this recording, and she, like Leonard Warren, seems occasionally prone to noticeable scooping and shouting. On the other hand, she still contributes some magnificent singing with a voice that still retained much of its undeniable beauty. This is a Tosca who sounds somewhat older than her lover, and if her repulsion of Scarpia sounds a little matronly and staid, it is still convincing, though again in a general sort of way. Her great aria "Visi d'Arte" is sung with great beauty and control. Who, I wonder, could sing Tosca like this today? Erich Leinsdorf's conducting is conventional and never less than acceptable, though he might have conjured up a little more intensity for the histrionics in Act II. If I could only own one recording of this opera, it would be the Callas/di Stefano/Gobbi version on EMI, but if I could have one or two others, I would certainly find the room on my shelves for this version."

This is an unjustafiably maligned recording

Paul A. Dunphy | Bogota, New Jersey USA | 06/22/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To my knowledge this recording has never been out of print. The familiar trio of Milanov, Bjoerling and Warren were nearing the end of their careers. Perhaps they are not at the peak of their careers but these three in less than top form are still a lot better than many in their prime. Warren outdoes Gobbi in his insinuating manner. Just listen to his First Act:"Darei la vita per asciugar quel pianto" which is absolutely dripping with lust. Bjoerling's "E lucevan le stelle", his mis-pronunciation aside, leaves most others in the dust. Milanov in the title role may seem a bit cold but she was considered a great Tosca onstage and studied with Milka Ternina who was the first to sing it at the Met. The sound is wonderful and Leinsdorf leads a sensitive, well-paced performance"

A Great Classical Tosca

Queen Margo | Arlington | 03/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great classical recording of "Tosca" with some of the best voices of the time. While Callas/di Stefano/Gobbi may remain a benchmark "Tosca" for the acting as well as singing, this one is worth having for a different experience."