"Questo il beccio di Tosca!" (This is Tosca's Kiss!) Muori Muori most chilling and electrifying words ever spoken in opera. She has her moments, especially in her confrontation with Scarpia and subsequent murder scene. But do not downplay Miss Hildegard Behrens. An Italian dramatic voice is better suited for Tosca- Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi and Leontine Price are the greatest Toscas ever to grace the stage. Hildegard Behrens is OK in the role but, like Birgit Nilsson, she is accused of being too Wagnerian, too German, when the role of Tosca is the epitome of Italian womanhood. This is the best STAGE VERSION, mainly because of the lavish attention to detail by Franco Zefferelli. That one is a better pick for Tosca but only for a film version. He had indeed performed Cavaradossi in a 1975 film opposite Raina Kabavainska, a film shot outside in the exact Italian locations. For those who are unaware, Placido Domingo in 80's voice is quite secure and very experienced but his younger voice in the 70's is probably more vigorous. His lush and high tenor voice is very moving. He is romantic, idealistic, and very masculine. For me, the best part of this particular Tosca is Placido Domingo as Cavaradossi. His lines at the end of the Te Deum."Tosca you make me forget God" are downright blasphemous and appropriately evil.
Cornell McNeill may be of the "stand there and sing" type of singer but he oozes with corruption and sinister evil in every note. The legendary performances of Maria Callas and Tito Gobbi is seldom seen these days. He is probably quite enjoyable in the role because he reminds so many people of Tito Gobbi, who was largely considered the best interpreter of Scarpia.
Cornell McNeill as Scarpia is devilish and quite powerful. Tosca, in love with Cavaradossi, an artist and political activist, finds herself trapped in the sinister Baron Scarpia's plot. She is majestic, noble, and a tragic, suffering heroine. Her intensity, her passion and soaring high notes are quite thrilling. Hildegard Behrens, a German/Wagnerian soprano, follows in the footsteps of Birgit Nilsson as Tosca. Although there are indeed better Toscas out there with even more powerful sopranos in the role, this one is nothing to laugh at either. He emulated the Cathedral of Rome for the Church scenes/Te Deum and his passionate dedication to authenticity serves him well in this production. Franco Zefferelli, film director and long associated with set design/art direction in opera, provides a lush and lavish background scenery. It was filmed in 1984 and stars Placido Domingo as Mario Cavaradossi, Hildegard Behrens as the diva Tosca, and Cornell McNeill as the villainous Baron Scarpia. This is one of the better staged performances of Puccini's Tosca.
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