Tosca version 2, Opera San Jose, Nov. 26 2010

We saw the penultimate performance of Tosca, given by the opposite cast from the opening night cast, with Rebecca Davis as Tosca, Christopher Bengochea as Cavaradossi, and Torlef Borsting as Scarpia. Krassen Karagiozov and Isaiah Musik-Ayala repeated the roles of Angelotti and the sacristan, respectively. They were again in fine voice, Karagiozov in particular. His singing seems to have grown some considerable heft in the lower register. Davis demonstrated the virtues that led to her selection into San Francisco Opera’s Merola program. Bengochea seemed to be having an off night: his voice sounded husky and strained. Has his recent illness and weight loss affected his singing? Borsting lacked the impact that Silas Elash had in the other cast, seen the previous week. A marginal beta.