This 2011 Covent Garden production of Tosca stars three
splendid singers, with Angela Gheorghiu sensitively in the title
role, Jonas Kaufmann the intense republican Mario Cavaradossi
and Bryn Terfel as malevolent lustful police chief Scarpia. All
three can act as well as sing - Terfel's role shows
darkest menace. Antonio Pappano conducts and Jonathan Kent is
stage director in this traditional production of the popular
classic opera. Set and costumes are in period and filming
excellent, including Tosca's dive over the castle parapet. As
usual with DVDs the accompanying booklet is flimsy with no
libretto or translation. Pappano provides a bonus video feature,
however. Gheorghiu delights in Act 2 with her soprano artistry
in Vissi D'Arte.
Highlight: Kaufmann's big tenor
aria O Dolci Mani before execution.
