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Maria Callas Live at Covent Garden (February 9th 1964) [DVDRip (XviD)]

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Maria Callas Live at Covent Garden (February 9th 1964) [DVDRip (XviD)]



Description

This the celebrated Act II of Tosca, Zeffirelli directed, broadcast live from the Royal Opera House on February 9th 1964. One of the few videos of "La Divina" in performance, and the only one, as far as I'm aware, filmed during a "real" opera performance.


Some peoples' comments

Here are two masters, two artists at the very top of their craft, two legendary performers giving a definitive performance of sight and sound. From the beginning of the act, Gobbi dominates with a presence that few could ever hope to do. And when Callas finally enters, the sparks fly. Nearly every gesture, every vocal inflection, every subtle nuance carries weight that cannot be measured. There are very very few moments of stage mannerisms, so complete are their portrayals. While not always pretty vocally, they show off to the world why they dominated the opera stage during their prime. The intensity they create together is incredible, seldom letting up in the cat and mouse game they play.
(Courtesy: [color=#0000ff]amazon)

Excellent. Makes me cry everytime I watch her. She is the benchmark for all opera singers. Get it!!!!
(Courtesy: [color=#0000ff]amazon)

No words to describe how Callas was simply great, the best of the best. It was a great emotion for me to see Gobbi as Scarpia together Callas as Tosca...what a couple, really no words....just buy this DVD and live the same emotions I've felt.
(Courtesy: [color=#0000ff]cduniverse)


My Humble Opinion
I'm speechless really. I either write a 20 page essay, or almost nothing.
To those who've seen this already - you already know.
To those familiar with opera, but not this video - you must watch it - this is the very definition of opera - you've heard better singing, you've seen more flamboyant acting (Dessay's Lucia, perhaps), but never has there been this "presence", the raw power, the "je ne sais quoi" as Callas and Gobbi conjure up here - it's spellbinding - at the end of the famous "Vissi d'arte" there is no applause - the audience is transfixed. They sing better in the 1958 Paris concert, but this just pips it at the post.
To those unfamiliar with opera, but with an open mind - try it - if this doesn't move you, then opera never will.

Subtitle files
Subtitle files are included in English, French and German. Please excuse typos & spellers.


Brief Plot
Act I: Tosca (Maria Callas), an opera diva, is in love with Cavaradossi, a painter. Angelotti, a political prisoner, escapes from jail and Cavaradossi hides him. Scarpia (Titto Gobbi) , the chief of police, plays on Tosca's insecurity about Cavaradossi.
Act II is set in Scarpia's apartment. Cavaradossi is tortured to try to make him reveal the prisoner's hiding place - Tosca can save him by admiting Scarpia's advances.
Act III: For a full synopsis see [color=#0000ff]Opera-Opera. [color=#AA0011]WARNING - contains spoilers about the ending, if you can't guess how this tragic opera ends!


Important note
The DVD this is taken from contains a 1962 Covent Garden Concert. As far as I know, this was never broadcast, so I haven't included it here. The video is in Black & White.

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*** MediaInfo Mac // Plain text file report
2009-01-19 10:11:31 +0000
Information for File: Maria Callas - Tosca Act II.avi

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(My upload speed isn't great, so please be patient - electricity permitting, I'm on 24/7)




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