I cannot claim to be an opera buff. In fact, I would rather listen to rain falling on the roof than listen to Mozart’s trilling. But Puccini- I am Mad about Puccini!
We all have a sensory memory bank. And within that is a zone in which sensation is sometimes converted to emotional response. This involves external stimuli triggering internal chemistry; the direction of which can be catalyzed by earlier experiences. 100% of all dog barks make me alert and wary. 68% of all Puccini leads to wist. From there,on a good day, a short step to bliss.
Tosca is often pegged as the musical pinnacle of Puccini’s works. The stand alone strength of the individual arias is arguably greater than any other opera. There is just more of which is exquisite or resonant packed in there.
Few critics would proclaim Maria Callas as the greatest female voice ever heard. Few would not have her on the list of the most emotive operatic performers; and as La Tosca she may have found her own pinnacle of sorts:
La Tosca is beleaguered by wretched circumstances and wondering why, having lived, in her words, only for art and love. And Maria Callas? Well, she too lived for art and love. The role was not written for her, but it turns out that it was.
What has this to do with wine? Well, every once in a while a wine can be so exquisite that it evokes for me the same sort of feeling as the best of the best Puccini. And I hope that it happens for you.
