Tosca – Giacomo Puccini | Opera

Approximate running time: 2 hours 40 minutes, including two 20-minute intermissions
Language: Performed in Italian, with surtitles in Czech and English
Recommended age: 12 and up

The singer Floria Tosca, who is even invited to the royal court, and the painter Mario Cavaradossi are respected and adored artists, yet their standing does not safeguard them against the malicious police chief Baron Scarpia. Cavaradossi dies not only because he, a Voltairean, tries to save the life of Cesare Angelotti, the former Consul of the Roman Republic, but also for being Tosca’s lover, Scarpia’s rival. Giacomo Puccini had mulled over Victorien Sardou’s La Tosca ever since 1889, when he saw in Milan a performance of the drama, starring the celebrated actress Sarah Bernhardt.

The world premiere of his opera, in 1900 in Rome, was a resounding success, even though some did scorn it, including Gustav Mahler, who referred to it as a “Meistermachwerk” (sham masterpiece), and Richard Strauss, who dismissed it in even harsher terms. Today, the opera about the diva Tosca, the painter Cavaradossi and the police chief Baron Scarpia, set in 1800 in Italy during the time of Napoleon’s war against Austria, is one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide.

Synopsis

Act One  
The escaped prisoner and former Consul of the Roman Republic Cesare Angelotti runs into Attavanti private chapel and hides. The painter Mario Cavaradossi enters the church to continue his work on a picture of the Mary Magdalene. The Sacristan identifies a likeness between the portrait and a woman, who comes to the church to pray. Tosca arrives. She is furious that Mary Magdalene-painting looks like Marchesse Attavanti, Angelotti’s sister. Cavaradossi succeeds in assuaging her. After Tosca has walked away, Angelotti and Cavaradossi flee to the painter’s house. 

The Sacristan and choristers are celebrating rumours of Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of Marengo. At that moment, the Roman chief of police, Baron Scarpia, arrives searching for Angelotti. Tosca reappears. Scarpia, suspecting Cavaradossi’s complicity in Angelotti’s escape, convinces her that Cavaradossi has run off with another woman. Scarpia knows that Tosca’s jealousy will lead him to Cavaradossi, and thus to Angelotti.

Act Two  
In his apartment Scarpia anticipates the pleasure of having Tosca in his power. Having not been able to find Angelotti, Spoletta arrives with news that they have instead brought Cavaradossi. Interrogated by Scarpia, the painter denies any knowledge of Angelotti and is taken away to be tortured. When Tosca arrives, Scarpia begins interrogating her, using Cavaradossi’s screams to torment her; under this duress, Tosca finally reveals the hiding place. Caravadossi’s torture ceases and the painter is brought in. Sciarrone enters with the news that Napoleon was actually victorious at Marengo. Cavaradossi responds with a triumphant exclamation and Scarpia orders his execution. 

Alone with Scarpia, Tosca begs for her lover’s life and Scarpia names his price: she must give herself to him. Seeing no alternative, she agrees, and Scarpia orders Spoletta to perform merely a sham execution. Once Scarpia has granted safe conduct for Tosca and Cavaradossi to escape from Rome, Tosca stabs him.

Act Three 
A shepherd boy’s song is heard at dawn. Awaiting his execution in prison, Cavaradossi writes a letter to Tosca, recalling their happy moments together. Tosca enters and tells him that she has killed Scarpia. Cavaradossi is deeply touched by her courage. They enthusiastically plan their future life together in freedom. Tosca then instructs Cavaradossi how to feign death in the sham execution. The firing squad arrives. After the men have left, Cavaradossi remains prostrate on the ground. Tosca realises that he really is dead and that Scarpia has deceived her. As Spoletta approaches, so as to detain her for killing Scarpia, she runs to the ramparts and hurls herself to death.