Tosca (DVD) New Release
Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Release Date: Oct 19, 2010
Conductor: James Conlon
Artists:

Orchestra: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Ensemble: Metropolitan Opera Chorus
Label: Decca
Region: Region Free, Worldwide

Filmed at the height of Luciano Pavarotti's career, this DVD of a performance from December 19, 1978, captures Pavarotti in one of his most acclaimed roles: Puccini's Cavaradossi. Specially restored and released for the first time on any format, this rare treat also includes remarkable bonus features:

• Tosca in Rehearsal - Shirley Verrett & Luciano Pavarotti
• Tosca in Rehearsal - James Levine & James Conlon discuss Puccini
• Tosca in Rehearsal -  Acclaimed baritone Tito Gobbi, who also directed this production, discusses the role of Scarpia with Cornell MacNeil

Tosca premiered in 1900 at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome. It is one of the world’s most frequently performed operas and is known as much for its gripping drama as for its appealing score. The setting is Rome, where Tosca, a beautiful and famous singer, battles to save her lover Mario from the sadistic police chief Scarpia. The role of Tosca has been long considered a proving ground for great operatic actresses.