TOSCA

1 x 102'

 

Tosca is a tragic tale of love, intrigue and betrayal set in the Napoleonic Rome of 1800, a highly successful collaboration of composer Puccini and librettists IIIica and Giacosa.

Bulgarian soprano Stefka Evstatieva is Tosca, the tempestuous opera singer whose stormy romance with artist Cavaradossi leads to violence, deceit and death. Joining Stefka Evstatieva as Tosca are Canadian baritone Cornelis Opthof as the evil Baron Scarpia and Russian Tenor Vyacheslav Polozov as Cavaradossi. Peter Strummer sings the Sacristan and John Avey is Sciaronne.

The Opera begins with the painter’s discovery of his friend, Angelotti, hiding in the church where Cavaradossi has been at work on the mural. Angelotti is on the run from Baron Scarpia, chief of the Roman police, who seeks to have him executed for his beliefs. At the sound of an approach, Angelotti hides again; but it is Tosca who arrives and - sensing the presence of another, flies into a jealous rage accusing Cavaradossi of hiding another woman. Angelotti narrowly escapes capture by Scarpia, as Cavaradossi extinguishes Tosca’s anger with sweet attentions. The Police Chief seizes the opportunity to use Tosca’s jealousy to his own ends.

As act II begins, Cavaradossi’s villa has been raided; while angelotti was not found, Cavaradossi has been brought in for questioning. As Tosca sings at a celebration in the palace courtyard, Scarpia summons her and tortures Cavaradossi in her presence. Tosca must save her lover and betray his closest friend. The police chief will spare Cavaradossi - if Tosca gives herself to Scarpia. Desperate, she agrees and hears him give orders for mock execution; then she plunges a knife into his heart when he attempts to claim his prize.

In act III, Tosca and Cavaradossi are reunited at the scene of his supposed execution. But Scarpia is false to the end; real bullets are fired and Caravadossi dies. All Tosca’s sacrifices have been for nothing and her anguish is unendurable. As the murder of Scarpia is discovered, Tosca hurls from the parapet to her death.

Frank Corsaro directs the stage production which is sung in italian and the conductor is Richard Bradshaw. Directed for television by Norman Campbell.

Produced by the Canadian Opera Company and Primedia Productions in association with the CBC and TVOntario.