Angela Gheorghiu, an iconic artist with a beautifulvoice and a star quality that dazzles on stage, captivatedthe world in her role as Tosca, at the Royal OperaHouse in July 2011. Puccini s ever-popular opera, Tosca,returned to The Royal Opera House, where the stellarcast included Jonas Kaufmann, Bryn Terfel, the RoyalOpera Chorus and the Orchestra of the Royal OperaHouse, who were under the baton of Antonio Pappano,the Music Director of the Royal Opera House. With theall-star cast, opera history was in the making and was, byfar, the hottest ticket in town. For the majority of us whowere not lucky enough to be there, it has been capturedon this DVD, exclusively released by EMI Classics.Gheorghiu received much praise and accolades as Tosca.Laura Kate Wilson of Bachtrack wrote As Gheorghiudelivered the chilling O Scarpia, avanti a Dio! ( Oh Scarpia,we shall meet before God! ) and that final heart-wrenchingrefrain rose from the orchestra pit it was clear that opera historyhad been made, and I felt incredibly lucky to have witnessedit. Rupert Christiansen of the Telegraph added that Thevelvety smoothness of (Angela Gheorghiu s) line and tone wassomething to marvel at. The set includes pieces such as the Act I Te Deum, Vissid arte and E lucevan le stele. Jonathan Kent s detailedproduction draws on the full historical backdrop ofRome in 1800, a political world of control and suspicion,beautifully evoked in Paul Brown s lavish designs. Thepageantry of church ritual, the darkness of a broodingstudy with its hidden torture chamber and the falseoptimism of the light of a Roman dawn all throw intorelief the love of the beautiful diva Tosca, the idealismof her lover Cavaradossi and the deadly, destructiveobsession of the malevolent Chief of Police, Scarpia.Drama, passion, and fabulous music.1. Opening Titles. - Puccini. Tosca 2. Ah! Finalmente!. - Puccini. Tosca 3. E sempre lava!. - Puccini. Tosca 4. Dammi i Colori!. - Puccini. Tosca 5. Gente l dentro!. - Puccini. Tosca 6
