Stundyte’s vocal prowess was first rate, and her singing of “Vissi d’arte” a highlight of the show, but the top end of her voice didn’t shimmer as much as Secco’s. He sang effortlessly, with great emotion and plenty of power, including a wonderfully long high A at the end of “E lucevan le stele.” His tone quality was excellent from top to bottom. The other huge impression of the evening was the trumpet-like clarity of Italian tenor Stefano Seccco, who sang the role of Cavaradossi. It was an impulsive moment in which Stundyte seemed to get an extra rush of adrenaline – just like it would probably happen in real life – and it was extremely effective. Stundyte scampered about after dispatching Grimsley). I am referring to the intense scene in which Tosca (Lithuanian soprano Austine Stundyte) kills Scarpia (bass-baritone Greer Grimsley) with a knife. The performance on opening night (January 1oth) at McCaw Hall had an edge of spontaneity that made it riveting.
One would think that a reliable warhorse like “Tosca” might be a dull affair because it is performed so often, but the most recent Seattle Opera production shows that Puccini’s masterpiece still can grip audiences in the gut. Greer Grimsley (Baron Scarpia) and Ausrine Stundyte (Floria Tosca) in Puccini's Tosca.