Il bacio di Tosca - 7 historical versions of Scarpia's murder scene

"Questo è il bacio di Tosca!" - a goosebump moment like all the moments when a character in a Puccini opera has to die. However, I have many recordings where this scene is not really exciting. I have therefore chosen my favourite 6 (well, 7) interpretations. It is very interesting to hear how the different sopranos create a different character in this short scene. It goes from mad and almost lustful to absolutely terrified, from ruthless and ice-cold to exhausted and nervous - there is even one with a truly Russian temper and an thick Russian accent, but very convincing nontheless. You will find the names of the singers involved at the end of each clip. Like that, you can use the recordings as a quiz and test your ears if you like. I have to name one singer though, who is my absolute favourite in this scene: Renata Tebaldi. The audio is illustrated with historical photographs of the last century's great Toscas.