Raimondi Returns as Scarpia in Tosca

I can never get enough of Italian bass-baritone Opera performer Ruggero Raimondi,

especially when he's cast in the role of the evil Scarpia in Puccini's three act opera Tosca.

This performance above is from 1992 when it was beamed live around the world in a

special television event that was performed at the time and location prescribed by the composer

Puccini. It also featured Placido Domingo.

In the closing moments Raimondi as Scarpia can be seen kissing the cloak of the passing Pope

as if wanting forgiveness after practically denouncing his love of God, for his love of  Tosca

played by Katherine Malfitano.

And in that final closing moment, The Pope holds up high the golden starlike Monstrance, which

according to Catholics represents the very presence of Christ.

VIDEO KINDLY UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE BY

CLASSICAL MUSIC WORLD

Raimondi is Spectacular as Scarpia.

It's often been said that operatic baritone Tito Gobbi was the ultimate anti hero in Puccini's

famous opera Tosca, playing the role of Baron Scarpia, Chief of Police. But for me it

would have to be Italian bass baritone Ruggero Raimondi. It was a role that he was born to play.

In this short clip above in a powerful climax at the end of Act 1 we see Raimondi contorting

his face with anger, passion, jealousy and revenge. It's clear now that Raimondi as Scarpia

is going to have Floria Tosca's lover Mario executed so that he can have Tosca for himself,

crying out his final words at the end of Act 1, 'Tosca you make me forget my God.'

Raimondi is spectacular in this closing scene.

Video kindly uploaded to youtube by

melmoth