Tosca: In the Settings and at the Times of Tosca

TV Movie
1992
2h

IMDb RATING

8.4/10

165

YOUR RATING

Tosca: In the Settings and at the Times of Tosca (1992)

Music Musical Romance

Performed in the actual Roman settings described in the libretto. The scenes take place at the appropriate times of day. Rome, June 1800. Floria Tosca is a celebrated opera singer, better kn... Read allPerformed in the actual Roman settings described in the libretto. The scenes take place at the appropriate times of day. Rome, June 1800. Floria Tosca is a celebrated opera singer, better known as La Tosca. Her lover is Mario Cavaradossi, a young artist and Bomapartist sympathize... Read allPerformed in the actual Roman settings described in the libretto. The scenes take place at the appropriate times of day. Rome, June 1800. Floria Tosca is a celebrated opera singer, better known as La Tosca. Her lover is Mario Cavaradossi, a young artist and Bomapartist sympathizer. When the latter helps Angelotti, the leader of the opposition, to escape from prison an... Read all

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.4/10

165

YOUR RATING

4User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 3 Primetime Emmys
- 3 wins & 2 nominations total

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
This production was originally broadcast live in three parts - each part corresponding to each act, each act performed and broadcast from the actual building in which that act takes place in the plot, and at the exact time of day the action in the particular act occurs. None of it was filmed on sets especially built for the production. To accomplish this unheard-of feat, the singers were outfitted with tiny, nearly invisible radio transmitters plugged in their ears, which enabled them to hear the orchestra playing the accompaniments in the studio as the singers actually sang live in their respective locations.

Connections
Featured in Rederiet: Ont uppsåt (1994)

User reviews4

Review

Featured review

10/10

Unprecedented

I watched this live on BBC2 in 1992, getting up in the small hours for the last act, and recorded it on VHS. I treasured the tape for years, watching it occasionally until it died. I've just ordered the DVD and am hugely looking forward to seeing it again.

To be honest it's probably a no better than average performance of Tosca. It's a bit experimental, and it doesn't always work perfectly. It would be beside the point to mention the bits which are a bit clunky, except to note the point in the first act when Domingo fell walking down a ramp - it turned out he broke his toe, but unless you know it happened you would never notice.

But it's on location! At the authentic times, in the authentic places! For an opera so connected with its historic milieu this is magnificent, and if you know Rome and the historical setting of the opera it's irresistible. And a lot of it is truly brilliant. The real star is Ruggero Raimondi, already wonderful in films of Don Giovanni and Carmen, he completely steals the opera as Scarpia, helped by production obviously aware how good he was. But the principals hold their own; the final act in particular doesn't need any excuses.

For all its rough edges this is unique. See it if you can.