Giacomo Puccini's Tosca

Puccini's action-packed psychological thriller

Political power and its abuse intensify the tragic love triangle between the fiery diva Floria Tosca, the handsome painter Mario Cavaradossi, and the sadistic police chief Baron Scarpia. Obsessed with the tempestuous singer, the villainous Baron plays a cruel cat-and-mouse game with her and her lover. Tosca strikes a bargain with the diabolical Scarpia only to experience horrifying consequences.

The Hollywood film composer Erich Korngold once referred to Tosca as the "greatest film score of all time" because the music reflects every hair-raising detail of this gripping melodrama in a way that keeps the excitement at fever pitch. Plácido Domingo and Sir Richard Armstrong share the podium.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• la opera
• tosca
• giacomo puccini
• salvatore licitra
• violeta urmana
• chorus
• samuel raimey
• ian judge

[JeeRant]

Um, Scarpia punching Cavaradossi? No.

[coryisawake]

bleating!

[SFRDaniel]

I saw this production three times. It was enchanting not only for the singing itself, and the orchestra, but the sets, the acting and the direction. I found this video by accident -- what a pleasure to revisit it all!

[MastersoftheOpera]

Violeta Urmana's Tosca is magnificent. I saw this production. Salvatore Licitra was excellent. They were both like a throwback to classic singers of another time, like the turn of the century, which seemed to fit the look of this production (Puccini's time). I think this was great but I do generally prefer a more slim Tosca and sexy Mario. I'm just spoiled by movie-star types who sing opera in recent years. But they are brilliant don't get me wrong. They sang GLORIOUSLY

[ElisabettaVS]

Absolutely. It is not up to her wether she jumps or not.

[ElisabettaVS]

the best opera! my favourite.

[ElisabettaVS]

it is not up to her wether she jumps or not, it is up to the one who sets up the production!

[destroyhobbits]

I was just confirming that she did in fact jump...

Regardless of whether it was a good or bad thing, I could just tell when I saw it live. Which was in fact a great show, one of the best LA Opera has done.

[suzanneetmoi]

A comment regarding the comments: It would be quite nice if the kiddies would stop their rude comments. Sure, some singers are large, but unless you can get up there & do as good or better, please keep quiet. Her VOICE and her acting are important, not her size and to post comments of the sort seen here just reflect immaturity. As for the "jump"- that neither makes nor breaks a " Tosca" & to say that a person's performance is

"quite bad", simply for that reason shows yet more ignorance.

[tazkorinthos]

can you explain that?? : |