A Thoroughly Tradiitional Tosca
This most recent Tosca to become available on DVD is also one of the oldest, dating from 1973. It is Vai's most recent release, emanating as all of their series of Italian operas are from Japan. It shares with all the previous releases the virtues and failings of this series: good mono sound and somewhat murky visuals. Faults be dammed; this series presents for those who are interested a style that is almost extinct. The vocalism is thrilling, the diction immaculate and the involvement beyond question. Two of the singers had careers in this country for a time. The tenor Flaviano Labo sang for eight years at the Met. If he were around today there would be little trouble casting any number of operas that lyric tenors are only too willing to sacrifice their career and their voice. No, not as large as Del Monaco, but surely more sensitive and musical. I have vague recollections of a ten inich LP from London containing the usual calling cards. Later he turned up in a five act version of...
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