Tosca

Tosca is more involving in this film version than in most stage performances. That is astounding. Usually, close-ups of opera performances spoil the effect of the music. The acting and looks of most singers detract from their musical performance. Also, melodrama is out and out funny when it's filmed realistically. But in this film the three leads are fine actors and look their parts. Gheorghiu is physically a magnificent diva. It helps that the lip-synching stops at times. For example Tosca and Caravadossi embrace and kiss while the singing continues, as if in their thoughts. They look right and it sounds right. Black and white video of the taping is occasionally intercut with the full color performance. This is jarring but adds to the magic of the final performance, which seemss effortless. Instead of filming the opera realistically the scenes are made theatrical and larger than life by using impressionistic backgrounds. It feels like a stage performance - only you can see everything perfectly. Wonderful! The film makes me want to hear the opera again. The sound system at the movie theater was no substitute for the real thing or for a CD. But I know that the images from this movie will flash up next time I listen.