Search - Virginia Barchi, Leo Nucci, Maria Guleghina :: Puccini: Tosca

Two works by Giacomo Puccini are included in this new batch of reissues. From Puccinis least-known opera to one of his most famous: Tosca. Russian soprano Maria Guleghina has had an especially close association with the title role, singing it at virtually every major opera house in the world, most notably at La Scala under Riccardo Muti in 2000, with Salvatore Licitra as Cavaradossi and Leo Nucci as Scarpia. Those performances were recorded by Sony Classical. Gramophone wrote: Fans of the soprano will be delighted: she is in ample, imperious voice, with a dramatic Slav vibrancy to it. She launches Vissi darte with abundant, expressive tone, and in vocal temperament she would be a match for any Scarpia. Licitras voice is full, ringing and easily produced, a genuinely Italianate sound of great potential Muti employs much subtly moulded rubato and the orchestra often responds with very beautiful playing.