Brooklyn-born tenor Anthony Tolve highlights ‘Tosca’ cast
Brooklyn-born tenor Anthony Tolve was one of several singers who starred in Puccini’s masterpiece “Tosca” when it was presented at Riverside Church in Manhattan on Nov. 30 by the critically acclaimed Gateway Classical Music Society.
This upper Manhattan venue is one of many locations used by Gateway Classical Music Society since its founding by Music Director and Conductor Maestro Ida Angland in 2004. “Tosca” has thrilled audiences since its premiere in Rome in 1900.This performance was costumed and staged by Roberto Stivanello, despite the limitations of a small stage.
In the title role, soprano Rosa D’Imperio used her strong acting skills and sumptuous voice to make her interpretation an outstanding one. In the Act One duet with her lover Mario Cavaradossi, she was fiery and jealous with bursts of glory. In Act Two, confrontations with Baron Scarpia were chilling, culminating in her stabbing him to death. Her rendeition the famed aria “Vissi D’arte” was sung with richness of tone and admirable breath control.