Tosca - Te Deum (Bryn Terfel, The Royal Opera)

Bryn Terfel as Scarpia performing 'Te Deum' from Act I of Jonathan Kent's production of Tosca (2011). The Royal Opera.
Find out more at www.roh.org.uk/productions/tosca-by-jonathan-kent
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From its famous, dissonant opening chords, Tosca conjures up a world of political instability and menace. The Chief of Police, Scarpia - one of the most malevolent villains in opera - ruthlessly pursues and tortures enemies of the state. His dark, demonic music contrasts with the expansive melodies of the idealistic lovers, Tosca and Cavaradossi, who express their passion in sublime arias. Giacomo Puccini’s dramatic work was an instant hit with audiences on its 1900 premiere and it remains one of the most performed of all operas.
A candle-lit church, the darkness of a brooding study with its hidden torture chamber and the false optimism of a Roman dawn: Jonathan Kent’s naturalistic production throws into relief the ruthlessly taut drama, as the tension is wound up towards its fateful conclusion. Puccini’s score is infused with the same authentic detail, from distant canon fire during the Act I ‘Te Deum’ to tolling church bells and the sounds of a firing squad.

[@RoyalOperaHouse]

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[@Nemesi]

Puccini was a madman. This is one of the most beautiful and powerful pages of music ever. So much going on: all the themes, emotions, the disturbing so called love of Scarpia, the clash with the religious act... Amazing performance by Bryn!

[@qokoon]

This is honestly my favorite song of the entire opera. It's so passionate, dark and powerful!

[@ambersummer2685]

I’ve seen a rehearsal for this opera and loved this song. Went home and added some songs to my opera playlist. Puccini’s music just gives me the right amount of dopamine lol

[@angelofiorentini3670]

Sei un raffinato conoscitore di questa Opera e degli aspetti più intimi di questo straordinario personaggio che è Scarpia. Ho visto Tosca tre settimane fa al Teatro Costanzi dove Tosca viene eseguita dal 14 gennaio del 1900. Ti saluto con affetto. C'è un cuore che batte nel cuore di Roma.

[@user-uz7jx1sn3w]

Bryn those mad eyes, that voice, the powerful religious backdrop. Absolutely mesmerising

[@michaelmcauley7704]

The stage setting is magnificent, Puccini's genius score, the wonderful Bryn Terfel, voice rising above the ROH orchestra and chorus. Superb in every way

[@vivb2614]

Magnificent costumes !

[@Ntrojo]

my favorite part of the whole opera...I love the way the music builds...this is a great performance!

[@BWAY62]

Terfil does Scarpia right by his disgusting lust during the The Te Deum. Someday I have to hear him sing Sondheim's Ephiany live.

[@jurgenr.4062]

Exactly this aria of Tosca made of me an opera lover. But I watched the performance with Sherrill Milnes as Scarpia. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHmye3aam6d5h8k I like the idea that Scarpia is a handsome man, not such a monster as in the role of Bryn Terfel. Nevertheless he is an awesome Scarpia and a great singer.

[@IvarsBezdechi]

Every time I hear this aria tears are like river from my eyes.

[@suttonmatthew1142]

instablaster.

[@matzek.9119]

absolutely

[@ohjohnushouldnthave]

This gives me goosebumps no matter how many times I listen. Such a dynamic and intense piece. Brings me near tears

[@uliceacosta2551]

This aria always makes me feel like a bean!!!, I mean insignificant. Puccini was a genius when he put the music into this beautiful piece of art. Terfel was a maestro performing it. Bravo!!!

[@matzek.9119]

Puccini was a church musician himself in his youth. Just like his ancestors. Therefore he definitely has this feeling for ecclesiastical moods.

[@riohenry6382]

Tosca was my first opera and this scene made my heart burst in my chest. I became a committed opera lover that night

[@witherspoonliving5165]

Same!

[@sgillies1219]

@@witherspoonliving5165 Me too!

[@headphonic8]

same exact thing happened to me

[@susanm1109]

Same for me. In my case it was Giorgio Tozzi’s Scarpia in San Francisco in the 1970s.

[@riohenry6382]

@@susanm1109 Todd Thomas as Scarpia too !

[@johnhazelgrove1616]

I keep coming back to this performance - absolute goosebumps !

[@ericwillems9466]

I look this video at least every month for more then 5 years and I can't get enough. Splendisimmo ! What a great singer you are, Bryn !

[@specialunit0428]

This is quite possibly my favourite aria ever. When I first heard it, I was immediately absorbed into the score and I have never gotten bored with it.

[@japeking1]

How to turn into a total goosebump. My one quibble is with Puccini .... nobody who can sing like this could possibly be as evil as Scarpia. Could they?

[@leonoradelagardie]

A wonderful performer, one of the treasures of our time...

[@joansutton]

He is certainly a Scarpia for the ages. The Te Deum is a haunting depiction of a damned soul.

[@FerrumIgnotus]

My most favourite performance of Scarpia :).

[@wendyflanagan3626]

Maciej Góralski Just enjoyed latest ROH Tosca. Gerald Finley, Carpacia, Te Deum, perfect, watch his expressions, scary or what. Best I have seen.

[@whovian1591]

I wouldn’t say he is the best, but I do agree this is a good performance. I personally prefer Cornell MacNeil

[@user-py1jg6bb2r]

@@whovian1591 And Sherrill Miles . Terfel has the high pitch, like a tenor, similar to Thomas Hampson... and performing alone, MacNeil is much more detailed.

[@randall8379]

MOST favourite? Is there such a superlative?

[@TheBaronescarpia]

powerful and terrific as Scarpia must be

[@joesantamaria5874]

That was the greasiest, most revolting Scarpia I’ve seen. Brilliant performance, and of course singing. bravissimo!

[@wilsonwatt9283]

Terfel is interesting here and makes an interesting contrast to the great Tito Gobbi. Gobbi contrasted the patrician and elegant outside of his Scarpia with the viciousness of his vocal interpretive powers. Terfel gives us a villain who is clearly beyond caring about externals and lets the world see outer evil as well as presenting the evil in the voice. Two very different but valid and fascinating Scarpias.

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

Terfel's Scarpia is a brute with no class. Hampson is elegant but doesn't have the right kind of voice. Tézier has the elegance and the voice but that noble Verdian tone almost works against him, even though he can act the villain. He's better suited to good guys and tragic villains than straight-up pure evil. Gobbi... Gobbi WAS Scarpia personified.

[@randall8379]

I disagree. Scarpia would not have appeared as a bum. Appearance meant everything. It is the corruption and vicuousness that lies behind the elegant facade. The ROh director got it wrong.

[@LeonardoAlvesCastro]

@@randall8379 Yes!!!!

[@shannoncrane4131]

My favorite thing about the role is that there are a million ways to play Scarpia, and they are all horrible and fascinating. It really gives the performer room for creativity.

[@67gyomber]

I disagree in one point: for me this interpretation is about the burning, all consumming passion when one is past the state of being able to distinguish right from wrong, all that remains is to have the object of one's desire. And it come so well together with the dishevelled looks of this Scarpia on the way of falling apart. The music itself for me begs for the same: entwining the most religious with the most self consumming cravings of passion a human can feel.

[@nicolamoliere]

this is hands down the best performance of this aria. he was made to sing Scarpia, I get goosebumps every single time. what a villain

[@ps0435]

Scarpia must be a strong and beautiful man. If he doesn't, he can't do much wrong. The contrast between the holiness echos Te Deum and the vulgar expression of desire is wonderful.

[@DavidHunt-Interimco]

This my favourite aria of any opera. Bryn Terfel plays the sleazy, evil Scarpia brilliantly

[@TheSorub]

the brass section of the orchestra is epic!

[@denisribeiro42]

A beautiful rendition of this sublime and magical aria. One of the best I've heard in 60 years of opera-going!

[@wurstgitarre]

I have the whole performance of this on blu ray and I can only say: It doesn't get any better. Gheorghiu, Kaufmann and Terfel in the main roles are incredible, the singing is incredible, the acting is intense, the orchestra and the conducting are fantastic and the staging is beautiful, too. Absolutely amazing!

[@dennis12dec]

I just recently watched the Royal Opera House DVD of Puccini's Tosca features one of my favorite opera divas Angela Gheorghiu as Floria Tosca with Sir Bryn Terfel as Baron Scarpia and Jonas Kaufmann as Mario Cavaradossi it was indeed a roller coaster ride 👏👏👏👏👏.

[@ubergeraldine]

Can only assume some of the critics here have never been to an opera or a live theatre production? Styles of acting before a large audience with no microphones have to be very different from TV or film. This is a film of a stage performance not a film clip.

[@hanniesolomon8656]

Beadybonce .

[@Ihdc1]

Well said. What looks exaggerated with a camera in your face looks perfectly normal to the people watching live.

[@joeardanillo]

@Beadybonce Totally agree on that. Guess the've never seen Ruggiero Raimondi in the 2006 production from the Verona arena...

[@ksol1460tv]

@@joeardanillo Or Gobbi. Dio mio.

[@thenoble39]

@@Ihdc1 👏

[@spencerathus5676]

This is the one. The voice. The rage. The crazed eyes.

[@JoseMunoz-kg6xj]

Sublime! Grandiose! Powerful! Beautiful, finally to make me cry with emotion. Thank you ROH.

[@bodiloto]

Jose Munoz ''Sublime!Grandiose!Powerful!Beautiful!'' hahahahahahahahahahah ! ragazzo,sei sordo per caso ?! la vocina di Terfel senza microfono dal vivo non si sente di 6 metri !

[@randall8379]

Grandiose maybe. Grand, no.

[@CymruEmergencyResponder]

@@bodiloto you’ve clearly never been in a room with him then. I have, and his voice is huge!

[@bodiloto]

@@CymruEmergencyResponder Parlando della grandezza della voce di Terfel…È ovvio che l’asino ha una voce più grande di Terfel … No comment il vecchio

[@callas1923]

OH YES! That's my Scarpia.

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Magnificent and my favorite part of Tosca.

[@geoffhutton8387]

Goosebumps. What a performance.

[@onitasanders7403]

He is superb, absolutely superb. It always amazes me how the general public can pick apart from every angle a performance as if they were the guardians of good taste and the rest of us out here are the village idiots. Just enjoy it for what the artist is bringing to us and leave the small remarks behind.

[@sircles-net]

Who are you then?

[@onitasanders7403]

Simon Cooper It does not matter who I am. I am just one person with one opinion. I do not need credentials to express what moves me and I do not ask anyone to join me.

[@thescholiast5118]

Actually, the public conversation is the guardian of good taste. Instead of attacking the small remarks, add to them. Don't be afraid of being told you have bad taste, don't think it necessarily means you do have bad taste, and don't think that occasionally indulging in bad taste is necessarily bad. The public search for good taste is very healthy, since not everything is equally good, and given the scarcity of time and funds, it is helpful to know which performances have a greater right to be preserved and studied and appreciated. Obviously, there will be disagreements. But there's no way that, say, a 19th century English melodrama is on the same level as Shakespeare's Macbeth, or that recommending Lady Gaga for serious study serves the art and theory of music more than recommending Verdi's Rigoletto. The craftsmanship of Sophocles is a better guide to composing a tragic event than the writers of a daily soap opera, no matter how many sad endings the latter contains. Good taste in art is like good taste in food: it likes what is nourishing as well as delicious and, above all, an experience, an event, that transcends words and is not reducible to this beat or that high note, this sauce or that avocado, but a composition of elements that does not blur flavours but enhances each and structures them into a whole that is greater than the sum. Why is good taste important in food? Because rare experiences are important in life, experiences that show the higher qualities of living, and the greatest of operas create these exquisite experiences which the audience shares. And the public then ask themselves, do we recommend this performance, this experience? Or do we think better, rarer heights exist and are more worthy of recommendation? There's nothing wrong with this public conversation. In fact, everything is right with it. Even when it gets it wrong. Because every generation can join the conversation and right the old wrongs and the search for the cream of the cream goes on and artists strive to learn from and then outperform the past and art develops and the best is remembered and lesser works are slowly forgotten, to leave ample room for future greats.

[@onitasanders7403]

@@thescholiast5118 Thank you for your insights.

[@HandelLover1989]

I adore his lieder and songs singing. Living master and legend. :)

[@frankiedeans7637]

This is the greatest aria ever written.such power. For this woman I would give up GOD..THIS IS LOVE..from the negative destructive viewpoint .It has never been done before or since... This is TRUE GENIUS..

[@zhengyuli9429]

One of the best Scarpia in the world ❤

[@rachaelkinniburgh1283]

Just the best act in any opera- this made me a life long fan and Bryan is amazing

[@zelimircabraja7529]

One of a kind.... Sir Bryn Terfel!!!! ❤❤

[@decodolly1535]

Saw a performance of this production at the ROH just last night, with Bryn as Scarpia, just as good as when I first saw it in 2011. The Te Deum brought the audience to absolute silence, and then they took the roof off. Don't think I'll ever hear anything quite as salacious as Bryn's "Ah, tosca...."

[@nickwyatt3243]

That must've been wonderful! Wish I'd been there.

[@beng7716]

I sang in this opera in harper concert hall and it was amazing

[@jimslancio]

Part of what I love about Tosca, act 1, is that the first thing you hear is the whole-tone Scarpia brass fanfare. And then the act ends, as we heard here, with the same brass fanfare, but now we know the character the brass fanfare represents. This guy really knew how to compose music drama!

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Bryn Terfel is incredible in this role: menacing, evil and loathsome. As someone said, not a pretty villain like Don Giovanni. He is perfect, second only to the owner of this role, Tito Gobi. And I agree: this is the best part of Tosca, although I do love the rest of it as well.

[@MRLASTSONOFKRYPTON]

The thumbs down i am assuming are the people who have never attended an opera or have but yet do not understand its beauty and power.

[@ubergeraldine]

Well that kicks ass doesn’t it! Bravo Bryn Bravo!

[@morrighanbond]

Bryn is the best!!! Period! And Antonio Pappano is a genius conductor! His interpretation on Tosca is magnificent ! Such flexibility and power of the orchestra!

[@Wuxotu]

Such an intense and powerful sound. Bravo Bryn! I think I watched this video a 100 times.

[@GaryWh-js5vk]

The best part of the opera.

[@izzonj]

The best part of any opera, IMHO

[@jurgenr.4062]

@@izzonj You are so right!

[@contatonubia]

@@izzonj You are right

[@robertbettens1]

Great performance, great music and goosebumps every time I listen to this Te Deum.

[@susanlennard7280]

Grandioso! Uno Scarpia perfetto! What a beautiful rendition, what else can I say!

[@alistaircooks9656]

Thank you for this performance. I never thought I would love the villain. Beauty. I was lucky enough to saw a (different) Tosca performance in ROH.

[@joelwagner3982]

Chills up and down the spine. Goosebumps on top of goosebumps. This is my kind of opera

[@tonigomez4962]

Maravilloso , grandioso ,como siempre.¡bravo! ¡bravo! Señor Terfel

[@jankolec7053]

it was a pleasure to take a part in tosca as acolyte, i was smth like 10yo, now im 27

[@HereIsMyStuff35]

What a voice!!

[@frankiedeans7637]

The greatest aria of all time..

[@DanielTakata]

The best Tosca's Te Deum ever registered on video! Bryn Terfel is amazing!

[@neilbardsley]

Just brilliant

[@michelegl7370]

Bryn Terfel superlativo

[@leticiamartin-penasco95]

my god , it's just amazing

[@huldrrrr9486]

The villains always gets the best love (well "love") songs...

[@ibraheemsaed7933]

one of the best operas for me , I was there in Hamburg Staatsoper and it was amazing .

[@thomastidswell7310]

Truly stunning!

[@deniskristian8722]

Grandiose - Powerful - Beautiful, favorite part of whole Tosca

[@outcastkid455]

I went to see This exact Tosca play and I was absolutely moved it amazing

[@godsinger1]

Thank you, so much...

[@janedodd9753]

Fab. This was the first opera I ever saw (Opera North) and this scene was terrifying. I love Bryn

[@katharinadevyrad8919]

wow this is amazing

[@rickierosso221]

His technique is definitely questionable but his acting is fantastic. Acting-wise, he's my favorite Scarpia. I love the nod at 2:04 for instance, the crazy eyes, the laughs and deep breaths. Its an impulsive, passionate Scarpia.

[@ChicChicken]

Questionable why? I think he's a totally wholesome Scarpia

[@jmc0075]

As I'm a total broke an never have a penny can only dream of seeing a fantastic performance like this blows me away

[@RoyalOperaHouse]

Hi James. Tickets to the ROH might be more affordable than you think: tickets for some operas start at £6. If you can't get to London then Tosca will also be broadcast live to cinemas around the world on 7 February 2018; you can find your nearest cinema here www.roh.org.uk/showings/tosca-live-2018 (with further venues to be added in due course).

[@taehankim154]

Bravissimo

[@erikolson2020]

I had the good fortune to see Mr. Terfel live in the same place and with the same staging in 2014, though with Placido Domingo as the conductor. I must say it was incomparable. Terfel captures what Scarpia is perfectly; Scarpia is (in my opinion) not an alluring, suave, Don Giovanni-esque figure. He is pure evil embodied. And in the time between this recording and when I saw him, he had the characterization absolutely perfected.

[@davebillnitzer5824]

Yes, Scarpia is the embodiment of evil, but we realize that in the way he treats the people around him, the decisions he makes, his interaction with other characters. Not in his grooming or in the way he dresses or slobbers about. The devil doesn't show up in red skin with hooves and horns and a tail and carrying a pitchfork - he'd be recognized right away. The devil shows up as a smooth-talker, seductive, intelligent, a cool and collected, erudite charmer - that's how he manages to slip in and work his evil. This performance is too obvious.

[@leandro.jose.ferreira]

Essa é uma das cenas que considero mais impactantes de toda a opera.

[@Kiltoonie]

Bloody amazing!

[@jgesselberty]

An astounding production. This is the kind of staging that we need in place of the cartoonish ideas that have taken hold.

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Truly menacing...truly wonderful.

[@stevehsfl]

Utterly Awesome

[@ancamg]

Bryn is one of the best Scarpia ever! Beautiful voice and acting are just amazing!

[@pazzamoranorojas]

the best Scarpia! BRAVO!

[@montserratcolini4764]

Bryn , eres majestuoso !! Te admiro mucho , y te agradezco los bellos momentos que paso escuchándote !! Un cordial saludo desde Paris !

[@arnoldconrad744]

Bryn Terfel is a magnificent Scarpia. This is one of my favorite scenes in opera, the juxtaposition of Scarpa's evil with Benediction. It is a small thing but the bishop would not be wearing his miter at that point while holding the monstrance to bless the congregation.

[@thomaslehmanbaritone]

Agreed and what a cool, insightful and kind way to pick something out that could make the production and scene better! Byrn is the best acting Scarpia I've seen.

[@charliemayne2981]

I think we all have a little Scarpia within us

[@whitewitchpauline]

Ooooooh what a perfect contrasting evil yet compelling voice ❤️

[@LOGRANICH]

IMPRESIONANTE, REALMENTE IMPRESIONANTE.....

[@JOJO.740]

Just perfect! 👏👏👏

[@antonettamartinka1559]

My favorite.

[@sandraalexander4690]

Wonderful!!!!

[@kathleenkirchgaessner709]

Bryn Terfel is too kind and funny to perform Scarpia. He could never be mean! Remember him in COSI at the Metropolitan Opera? He always lifts my spirits!

[@p.b4287]

Really? Terfel is perfect as Scarpia. Not kind of funny at all, but terrifying.

[@johndoe8114]

Dude that was so good

[@leonoradelagardie]

This is why we love opera!

[@Takhti93]

unparalleled Performance Scarpia ... bravooooo

[@aerial_camera_video_imaging]

Stunning in every way

[@sciteart]

My favorite baritone ever...

[@taliketz]

mind blowing!!

[@roxannegordon6162]

I'm in rehearsals this week for this opera. We open Friday night, with 2 performances on Sat and matinee on Sunday. It's June 9, 2023 and I think it's going to be fabulous with the audience. Our performances are sung by some very talented opera company members in Concord, MA. This man, Bryn, is brilliant.

[@luisruedaoropeza]

Maravillosa!

[@mariawalkerebersole2076]

Incredible!

[@jmc0075]

Thank you

[@mavismcdavis]

I was lucky enough to see this at the Met, NYC in 2010. Even though it had Jonas Kaufman as Cavaradossi, this is the scene that stayed with me. Hair on end stuff.

[@wiltaleggio]

incredible, a real musician

[@bodiloto]

povero Puccini ...

[@jasonmartin9251]

Wow.

[@Polkef]

One of the best renditions ever, bravo!

[@bodiloto]

Polkef ragazzo, sei sordo per caso ?! ...

[@amantedellopera1681]

Are you serious, this is not great,try gobi or george london or nicoli herlea to see great scarpias,this is mediocre at best when you compare him with the real greats,unfortunately we are left bereft of real great baritones or tenors or sopranos today,sadly the very best are from the past

[@mymthegreyful]

Nicely done lyrics captions. Very important for introducing non-opera fans to opera.

[@Rosangela161]

Brilliant Bryn Terfel