24 replies to this topic

[Loomis]

Does anyone know which recording of "Tosca" was used in QUANTUM OF SOLACE? Did they use a commercially available recording, or make their own recording of the opera (or a mixture of both)? I wanna buy the thing on CD, you see, but obviously I ideally want the exact same version as used in the movie. If this isn't possible, which of the available recordings of "Tosca" (I haven't looked into it, but I presume that there are, like, zillions) would be closest to what we can hear in QUANTUM? Anyone with any info on this? Cheers.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

I was thinking the same thing. I could buy songs on Amazon and they do have quite a few selections. Ideally I'd prefer the versions from the movie as well but I don't know where to begin.

[MkB]

Looks like there's an official DVD:
http://www.naxos.com...code=Phoenix801

[ImTheMoneypenny]

Looks like there's an official DVD:
http://www.naxos.com...code=Phoenix801

Excellent! Thanks!

[MkB]

Excellent! Thanks!

You're welcome!
Nota bene: I'm not saying that this DVD is the recording used in QoS, of that I have no idea. BUT it is certainly the same version of Tosca, the one played at the Bregenz festival, so if they have made their own recording for QoS, this DVD should be the closest complete recording possible. Hopefully.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

Excellent! Thanks!

You're welcome!
Nota bene: I'm not saying that this DVD is the recording used in QoS, of that I have no idea. BUT it is certainly the same version of Tosca, the one played at the Bregenz festival, so if they have made their own recording for QoS, this DVD should be the closest complete recording possible. Hopefully.

Oh yes of course, it'll be at least in the ballpark, er amphitheater.

[HildebrandRarity]

Is there a possibility that Arnold 'mixed' in some bits and 'modified' Puccini to give us something 'new' for the movie?

[MkB]

Is there a possibility that Arnold 'mixed' in some bits and 'modified' Puccini to give us something 'new' for the movie?

I guess that's a possibility... By the way, did anybody spot something about the Tosca recording in the credits?

[HellIsHere]

The producers/director used 5 minutes of uncut music material [they didn't mix it] from the final track of the 2nd act of Tosca. Although quite good that track is not as memorable as the famous aria "E lucevan le stelle" which appears at the very end of the last act. But I guess it was more appropriated.

Edited by HellIsHere, 08 January 2009 - 04:46 PM.

[Harmsway]

Is there a possibility that Arnold 'mixed' in some bits and 'modified' Puccini to give us something 'new' for the movie?

I'm quite familiar with TOSCA, and I didn't notice anything different about the score's orchestration for the flick. So I'd say the answer to your query is no.

[HildebrandRarity]

Is there a possibility that Arnold 'mixed' in some bits and 'modified' Puccini to give us something 'new' for the movie?

I'm quite familiar with TOSCA, and I didn't notice anything different about the score's orchestration for the flick. So I'd say the answer to your query is no.

Thanks, H.

What is the name of the piece at the moment where Bond faces off against Greene and his Quantum thugs near the restaurant?

[Harmsway]

What is the name of the piece at the moment where Bond faces off against Greene and his Quantum thugs near the restaurant?

Most commonly referred to as "Tre sbirri... una carozza... Presto"/"Te Deum." But on recordings, you'll find it referred to differently, so it's best to let you know that it's the act one finale, and that should lead you right to it. It covers the entire cue from the bit where Bond's up on the eye to the grandiose face-off between Bond and Greene.

The music (and footage) then cuts to the Act Two finale (Forster, naturally, taking some liberties here). Again, you'll find that this will be referred to differently, so knowing that it's the close of Act Two should be helpful in finding the track.

[Loomis]

Is there a possibility that Arnold 'mixed' in some bits and 'modified' Puccini to give us something 'new' for the movie?

I'm quite familiar with TOSCA, and I didn't notice anything different about the score's orchestration for the flick. So I'd say the answer to your query is no.

Harms, is there a particular recording on CD that you'd recommend, either for being as close as possible to the take on TOSCA that we hear in QUANTUM, or for being a truly first-rate recording of TOSCA, or - ideally - both?

[Harmsway]

Harms, is there a particular recording on CD that you'd recommend, either for being as close as possible to the take on TOSCA that we hear in QUANTUM, or for being a truly first-rate recording of TOSCA, or - ideally - both?

As far as a first-rate recording of TOSCA goes, I'd have to recommend the Caballé/Carreras/Wixell recording, conducted by Colin Davis with the Covent Garden Royal Opera House Chorus and Orchestra. It's as fine a recording of TOSCA I've ever heard, with magnificent vocal performances and a great orchestral sound.

For the Brits out there, you can get it on Amazon.co.uk here.

For the Americans out there, it's available on CD here, and if you just want the Amazon MP3 download so you can buy the QUANTUM OF SOLACE-specific tracks, you can get it here.

QUANTUM OF SOLACE fans won't find it too different from what they heard in the flick in terms of tempo or overall sound, though of course the vocal performances differ. That's not a bad thing, though, since the vocal performances on this recording are stellar. You don't have to take just my word for it, either, since it's one of the more acclaimed recordings around.

[HildebrandRarity]

What is the name of the piece at the moment where Bond faces off against Greene and his Quantum thugs near the restaurant?

Most commonly referred to as "Tre sbirri... una carozza... Presto"/"Te Deum." But on recordings, you'll find it referred to differently, so it's best to let you know that it's the act one finale, and that should lead you right to it. It covers the entire cue from the bit where Bond's up on the eye to the grandiose face-off between Bond and Greene.

The music (and footage) then cuts to the Act Two finale (Forster, naturally, taking some liberties here). Again, you'll find that this will be referred to differently, so knowing that it's the close of Act Two should be helpful in finding the track.

Magnifico, Senor Harmsway!

And the Arnold que, Night At The Opera (aka Quantum Theme), which segues into Te Deum is simply stunning too, isn't it?


In fact, that entire stretch of the movie - from the arrival at Lake Constance until the moment Greene has the man from Special Branch shot for "looking at" him - is just sensational...including the music. For me it's a piece of magnificent art and one of the all time highs in The Incredible World Of James Bond.

[Alfred Blacking]

For me it's a piece of magnificent art and one of the all time highs in The Incredible World Of James Bond.

I'll have to agree with that one. Although it's not my favourite movie, I must admit that this section is just stunning. And it improves the more times you see it - the mixture of music, shots, sound (or lack of it), effects make this the most stand-out moment of the film for me.

Oh, and I went out and bought the 1953 Callas and Stefano recording of Tosca after - it was only £2 in Morrisons!

[ImTheMoneypenny]

ic&qid=1231456976&sr=8-12"]here[/url].

For the Americans out there, it's available on CD here, and if you just want the Amazon MP3 download so you can buy the QUANTUM OF SOLACE-specific tracks, you can get it here.

Just what I needed Harmsway! Much obliged!

[Loomis]

Harms, is there a particular recording on CD that you'd recommend, either for being as close as possible to the take on TOSCA that we hear in QUANTUM, or for being a truly first-rate recording of TOSCA, or - ideally - both?

As far as a first-rate recording of TOSCA goes, I'd have to recommend the Caballé/Carreras/Wixell recording, conducted by Colin Davis with the Covent Garden Royal Opera House Chorus and Orchestra. It's as fine a recording of TOSCA I've ever heard, with magnificent vocal performances and a great orchestral sound.

Cheers, Harms. In that case, that's the recording I'll go for, no question about it. I strongly suspect that you know what you're talking about when it comes to music, and indeed your recommendation on which TOSCA to pick was what I was hoping for. Thanks again.

(I love how my love of Bond has opened me up to new things over the years, e.g. without being a Bond fan I'm sure I'd never have cracked open wonderful novels by Sebastian Faulks [shame about his Bond book, though!]. Even something like WATCHMEN and Alan Moore would probably have been completely unknown to me without Bond [well, without CBn.... which is also Bond, of course]. Perhaps 007 will now get me into opera!)

[ImTheMoneypenny]

Cheers, Harms. In that case, that's the recording I'll go for, no question about it. Thanks again.

(I love how my love of Bond has opened me up to new things over the years, e.g. without being a Bond fan I'm sure I'd never have cracked open wonderful novels by Sebastian Faulks [shame about his Bond book, though!]. Even something like WATCHMEN and Alan Moore would probably have been completely unknown to me without Bond [well, without CBn.... which is also Bond, of course]. Perhaps 007 will now get me into opera!)

My mother took my sisters and me to the opera and symphony in the park when we were little girls. It was a big deal and lots of fun. I love when certain things I enjoy cross, like this with Bond. For me, Bond has also opened up me up to new interests and experiences as well. I hope you enjoy opera Loomis!

[Loomis]

Thanks, ImTheMoneypenny. I've just ordered from Amazon the recording Harmsway recommended.

[Harmsway]

Cheers, Harms. In that case, that's the recording I'll go for, no question about it. I strongly suspect that you know what you're talking about when it comes to music, and indeed your recommendation on which TOSCA to pick was what I was hoping for. Thanks again.

You're entirely welcome! I hope you enjoy it.

(I love how my love of Bond has opened me up to new things over the years, e.g. without being a Bond fan I'm sure I'd never have cracked open wonderful novels by Sebastian Faulks [shame about his Bond book, though!]. Even something like WATCHMEN and Alan Moore would probably have been completely unknown to me without Bond [well, without CBn.... which is also Bond, of course]. Perhaps 007 will now get me into opera!)

It's fun how that happens, isn't it?

[DarthLarry]

This was one of my favorite scenes in the movie (and that's saying a lot). A few years ago, I was given the gift, really, of playing in the pit for Tosca (I'm a cellist). It was one of the most amazing experiences. The entire score is incredible and being down there in the pit with that sound around is breathtaking. The whole opera is phenomenal. Needless to say, it's my favorite.

I was really excited when I heard it was going to be featured in QOS and it did not disappoint.

Yes, the main section of what they use, while the members of Quantum are talking and Bond is standing ontop of the stage, is from the Te Deum (a very powerful scene in the opera--they picked a great scene to feature). The rest of it is from the third act: the music during the gunfight and the montage of clips (the stabbing, etc.)

I just ordered the DVD (thanks for the link, guys); I can't wait to watch the whole production.

The recording mentioned is very good. I'd also recommend Kiri Ti Kanawa/Leo Nucci recording (her 'Vissi d'arte' is fantastic) from 1984. http://www.amazon.co...a...7917&sr=1-1

Also Renata Scott/Placido Domingo http://www.amazon.co...n...7974&sr=1-1

I've heard good things about the Angela Gheorghiu/Roberto Alagna recording, but haven't heard it. Do NOT get the Andrea Boccelli one, it's terrible. Personally, I'm waiting for the day Anna Netrebko records it...

They do list who's performing the opera in the end credits, and I'm pretty sure it's the same as on the DVD recording.

If you don't know it yet, you really should check out Tosca.

[HellIsHere]

Quantum of Solace will get some new Opera fans and that's awesome!

[007karl007]

Looks like there's an official DVD:
http://www.naxos.com...code=Phoenix801

GREAT!
Ive been looking for this. ever since i seen it in QOS
thanks for the help friend!

[MkB]

Glad it helped, mate
If you give it a try, please post your impressions!