
Tosca 1960
One of the most popular operas ever written…
…the story of the love and deaths of Floria Tosca and Mario Cavaradossi.
Synopsis
Act I
Rome, in the year 1800. Angelotti, former consul of the Roman republic imprisoned by Baron Scarpia, stumbles disheveled into the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle. Having just escaped from the Castel Sant’Angelo prison, he seeks and finally finds a hidden key to a private chapel into which he slips just as the Sacristan enters. The Sacristan had expected to find the painter Mario Cavaradossi working at his easel, and a moment after the Angelus is rung Cavaradossi enters. He uncovers his painting, a Mary Magdalen with blue eyes and golden hair. The Sacristan is scandalized when he recognizes the portrait as that of a lady who has been praying in the church frequently of late.
A lunch basket stands by the easel, and the painter tells the Sacristan he may have the lunch. As the Sacristan goes off licking his lips in anticipation of a good meal, Angelotti comes out of hiding. He recognizes the painter as a political sympathizer and explains his plight. Cavaradossi offers to help. At the sound of a voice outside, Cavaradossi presses his lunch basket on the famished Angelotti and helps him back to his hiding place.
Cavaradossi unlocks the door to admit Tosca. The two arrange a tryst for that night at his villa. Just then Tosca catches sight of the painting and recognizes the features of the Marchese Attavanti. Jealously she accuses the painter of infidelity, but Cavaradossi manages to soothe her.
Tosca gone, Cavaradossi opens the chapel where Angelotti is hiding and offers to guide the fugitive to his villa, where there is a perfect hideout in an old well in the garden.
Word has been received of a victory over Napoleon, and the acolytes crowd into the church to celebrate a joyful Te Deum. Their excitement is hushed as Scarpia enters, on the trail of Angelotti. His agents find a fan bearing the Attavanti coat of arms, and Scarpia recognizes it as belonging to Angelotti’s sister. When the empty lunch basket is also discovered, Scarpia deduces that Cavaradossi has aided the prisoner’s escape.
Tosca returns to tell Cavaradossi she cannot meet him that night because she must sing at the victory celebration. Scarpia greets her. How fine it is, he says, that she comes to church to pray, not like some wantons-pointing to the painting-to meet a lover. Showing her the fan with its tell-tale crest, he is pleased to see her fly into a rage. After escorting Tosca out of the church, Scarpia orders his agent to follow her.
Act II
The evening of the same day in Scarpia’s apartment in the Farnese Palace. Music drifts up from below where Tosca is to sing for the Queen’s guests. Scarpia sends a letter to be given the singer on her arrival. Spoletta enters to report that Tosca was followed to a villa but that Angelotti was not found there. Scarpia’s anger is somewhat assuaged by news that Cavaradossi has been taken.
As Tosca’s voice soars from the floor below, Cavaradossi is questioned and denies any knowledge of Angelotti’s escape. Alarmed at Scarpia’s note, Tosca rushes in and embraces the painter, who warns her under his breath to disclose nothing. Cavaradossi is taken away, and Tosca resists Scarpia’s questions. At last he tells her that his agents are torturing her lover, and a groan is heard from the next room, striking horror in Tosca. In answer to her plea for mercy, Scarpia demands to know Angelotti’s hiding place. When Cavaradossi screams with pain, Tosca can bear it no longer and tells Scarpia that Angelotti is hidden in the well at the villa. The weakened Cavaradossi is carried back in and confronted with Tosca’s confession, but after a defiant outburst he is condemned to death.
Left alone with Tosca, Scarpia bargains for her lover’s life. She is horrified to hear that she is the price demanded. Finally, Tosca consents. Quickly Scarpia explains that a mock execution will be staged and directs Spoletta to attend to its details; ‘just as in the case of Palmiere,’ he says, with deadly significance. As Scarpia writes out a safe conduct permit for the two lovers to leave Rome, Tosca’s eyes fall on a knife which she surreptitiously takes. His writing completed, Scarpia approaches his victim with arms outstretched. As he embraces her, Tosca stabs him, exulting in his death agonies.
Act III
At dawn the following day. Cavaradossi is led from his cell to the place of execution. He is granted permission to write a letter, but is overcome with despair at the thought of never seeing Tosca again. Just then, she is led into the prison. Flying into her lover’s arms, she shows him the safe conduct. Cavaradossi can hardly believe her story. She explains the necessity of the mock execution, and the lovers laugh about the ruse. When the firing squad arrives, Cavaradossi refuses a blindfold. Orders are given, the soldiers take aim, the officer’s sword falls, shots ring out. Cavaradossi falls to the ground.
“How well he acts,” boasts Tosca. She cautions him not to move until the firing squad has left. As soon as the two are alone, she tells him he may rise. He remains motionless. She raises the cloth covering him. Scarpia has tricked them – Cavaradossi is dead. Cries from outside tell her that Scarpia’s murder has been discovered. As his agents rush in, Tosca flings herself from the parapet with a defiant cry.
Artists

Franca Duval
Soprano
Tosca
Franca Duval
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Tosca, Tosca, 1960

William Lewis
Tenor
Cavaradossi
William Lewis
Hometown: Tulsa, OK
SFO Debut:
Marco Palmieri, The Gondoliers, 1960 (June 22 – July 16)
Past Seasons:
Alfredo, La traviata, 1976
Narraboth, Salome, 1976
John Adams, The Mother of Us All, 1976
Rodolfo, La bohème, 1974
Alwa, Lulu, 1974
Danilo, The Merry Widow, 1973
Rodolfo, La bohème, 1973
Cavaradossi, Tosca, 1960
Alfredo, La traviata, 1960
Rinuccio, Gianni Schicci, 1960

John Reardon
Baritone
Scarpia
John Reardon
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Nick Shadow, The Rake’s Progress, 1960
Past Seasons:
Count Almaviva, The Marriage of Figaro, 1970
Dr. Stone, Help! Help! The Globolinks, 1970
Guglielmo, Così fan tutte, 1969
Dr. Stone, Help! Help! The Globolinks, 1969
Urbain Grandier, The Devils of Loudun, 1969
Belcore, The Elixir of Love, 1968
Sharpless, Madame Butterfly, 1968
Pentheus, The Bassarids, 1968
Figaro, The Barber of Seville, 1967
Cardillac, Cardillac, 1967
Jochanaan, Salome, 1967
Dandini, Cinderella, 1966 (August 18 – 26)
Mandryka, Arabella, 1965
Count Almaviva, The Marriage of Figaro, 1965
Platon Kusmich Kovalioff, The Nose, 1965
Escamillo, Carmen, 1964 (July 10 – August 5)
Count Almaviva, The Marriage of Figaro, 1964
Gianni Schicchi, Gianni Schicchi, 1964
Herr von Faninal, Der Rosenkavalier, 1963
Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni, 1963
Sharpless, Madame Butterfly, 1963 (July 6 – August 2)
Scarpia, Tosca, 1962
Nick Shadow, The Rake’s Progress, 1962
Scarpia, Tosca, 1960

Jasper King
Bass
Angelotti (August 3 - 13)
Jasper King
Hometown: Winnetka, IL
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1960
Past Seasons:
Dr. Grenvil, La traviata, 1960
Angelotti, Tosca, 1960 (August 3 – 13)

Don Yule
Bass
Angelotti (August 17 - 20)
Don Yule
Hometown: Enid, OK
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1960, 1961
Past Seasons:
Uli, News of the Day, 1961
Angelotti, Tosca, 1960 (August 17 – 20)
Commissioner, La traviata, 1960

Gimi Beni
Bass-baritone
Sacristan
Gimi Beni
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
SFO Debut:
Grand Inquisitor, The Gondoliers, 1960
Past Seasons:
Billy Jackrabbit, La fanciulla del West, 1991
Morbio, Die schweigsame Frau, 1991
Notary, Der Rosenkavalier, 1989
Le Baron, Chérubin, 1989
Frank, Die Fledermaus, 1988
Prince Yamadori, Madame Butterfly, 1987
Morbio, Die schweigsame Frau, 1987
Ivan Yakovlevich, The Nose, 1987
Frank, Die Fledermaus, 1986
Un Licteur, Orpheus in the Underworld, 1985
Stephano, The Tempest, 1985
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1970
Trulove, The Rake’s Progress, 1970
Emperor of China, Le Rossignol, 1970
Dr. Turtlespit, Help! Help! The Globolinks, 1970
Prince Yamadori, Madame Butterfly, 1968
Speaker, The Magic Flute, 1968
Dr. Dulcamara, The Elixir of Love, 1968
Benoit/Alcindoro, La bohème, 1967
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1967
Bartolo, The Barber of Seville, 1967
Fifth Jew, Salome, 1967
Count of Monterone, Rigoletto, 1966
Sacristan, Tosca, 1966
Trulove, The Rake’s Progress, 1966
Don Magnifico, Cinderella, 1966
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1965
Ivan Yakovlevich, The Nose, 1965
Bartolo, The Marriage of Figaro, 1964
Benoit, La bohème, 1964
Simone, Gianni Schicci, 1964
Dr. Goll, Lulu, 1964
Sacristan, Tosca, 1960
Trulove, The Rake’s Progress, 1960
Creon, Oedipus Rex, 1960
Simone, Gianni Schicci, 1960

Rolf Sander
Tenor
Spoletta
Rolf Sander
Hometown: Frankfurt, Germany
SFO Debut:
Bardolf, Falstaff, 1958
Past Seasons:
Valzacchi, Der Rosenkavalier, 1961
Alcindoro, La bohėme, 1961
Basilio, The Marriage of Figaro, 1961
Shepherd, Oedipus Rex, 1961
Gherardo, Gianni Schicchi, 1960
Basilio, The Marriage of Figaro, 1960
Shepherd, Oedipus Rex, 1960
Spoletta, Tosca, 1960
Lord Harvey, Anna Bolena, 1959
Fiorello, The Barber of Seville, 1959
Dr. Blind, Die Fledermaus, 1959
Goro, Madame Butterfly, 1959
Monsieur Taupe, Capriccio, 1958

Dan Leach
Bass
Sciarrone
Dan Leach
Hometown: Century, FL
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1960
Past Seasons:
Flora’s Servant, La traviata, 1960
Sciarrone, Tosca, 1960

Wayne Long
Bass
Jailer
Wayne Long
Hometown: Ponca City, OK
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 1960, 1961
Past Seasons:
Custom House Sergeant, La bohėme, 1961
Jailor, Tosca, 1960
Betto, Gianni Schicchi, 1960

Ronnie de Moraes
Treble
Shepherd Boy
Ronnie de Moraes
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Gherardino, Gianni Schicchi, 1960
Past Seasons:
Shepherd Boy, Tosca, 1960

John Crosby
Conductor
John Crosby
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Madame Butterfly, 1957
Past Seasons:
La traviata, 2002
The Egyptian Helen, 2001
Elektra, 2000
Countess Maritza, 1999
Ariadne auf Naxos, 1999
Madame Butterfly, 1998
Salome, 1998
La traviata, 1997
Arabella, 1997
Madame Butterfly, 1996
Daphne, 1996
Countess Maritza, 1995
Salome, 1995
Tosca, 1994 (July 1 – 15)
Intermezzo, 1994
La bohème, 1993 (July 2 – 16)
Capriccio, 1993
Die Fledermaus, 1992
Der Rosenkavalier, 1992
La traviata, 1991 (June 28 – July 6)
Die schweigsame Frau, 1991
La bohème, 1990
Ariadne auf Naxos, 1990
La traviata, 1989 (June 30 – July 12)
Der Rosenkavalier, 1989
Die Fledermaus, 1988
Feuersnot, 1988
Friedenstag, 1988
Madame Butterfly, 1987
Die schweigsame Frau, 1987
Die Fledermaus, 1986
The Egyptian Helen, 1986
Orpheus in the Underworld, 1985
Die Liebe der Danae, 1985
A Florentine Tragedy, 1984
Violanta, 1984
Intermezzo, 1984
Orpheus in the Underworld, 1983
Arabella, 1983
Die Fledermaus, 1982
Die Liebe der Danae, 1982
La bohème, 1981
Daphne, 1981
La traviata, 1980
Elektra, 1980
The Grand Duchesse of Gerolstein, 1979
Lucia di Lammermoor, 1979
Salome, 1979
Tosca, 1978
Salome, 1978
The Italian Straw Hat, 1977
Fedora, 1977
La traviata, 1976
Salome, 1976
Carmen, 1975
La bohème, 1974
The Grand Duchesse of Gerolstein, 1974
La bohème, 1973
The Merry Widow, 1973
The Grand Duchesse of Gerolstein, 1972
Madame Butterfly, 1972
Salome, 1972
Don Carlo, 1971
The Grand Duchesse of Gerolstein, 1971
La traviata, 1970
Anna Bolena, 1970
Tosca, 1969
Salome, 1969
Madame Butterfly, 1968
La traviata, 1968
Der Rosenkavalier, 1968
Carmen, 1967
La bohème, 1967
Tosca, 1966
Capriccio, 1966
Rigoletto, 1966
La traviata, 1965
Madame Butterfly, 1965
Arabella, 1965
Rigoletto, 1964
Daphne, 1964
La bohème, 1964 (August 22 & 28)
Die Fledermaus, 1963
Madame Butterfly, 1963
Der Rosenkavalier, 1963
Salome, 1962
Oedipus Rex, 1962 (and Director)
Perséphone, 1962
Tosca, 1962
Der Rosenkavalier, 1961
La bohème, 1961
The Gondoliers, 1960
Tosca, 1960
Die Fledermaus, 1959
Madame Butterfly, 1959
La bohème, 1958
Wuthering Heights, 1958
Capriccio, 1958

Bliss Hebert
Director
Bliss Hebert
Hometown: Faust, NY
SFO Debut:
The Rake’s Progress, 1957
Past Seasons:
L’incoronazione di Poppea, 1986
Orpheus in the Underworld, 1985
The Tempest, 1985
Violanta, 1984
A Florentine Tragedy, 1984
Orpheus in the Underworld, 1983
Mignon, 1982
The Rake’s Progress, 1981
Erwartung, 1980
Von Heute auf Morgen, 1980
Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, 1979
Salome, 1979
Salome, 1978
Pelléas and Mélisande, 1977
The Marriage of Figaro, 1976
Salome, 1976
Carmen, 1975
La vida breve, 1975
L’enfant et les sortilèges, 1975
Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, 1974
The Magic Flute, 1974
Le Rossignol, 1973
L’enfant et les sortilèges, 1973
The Marriage of Figaro, 1973
The Merry Widow, 1973
Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, 1972
Pelléas and Mélisande, 1972
Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, 1971
The Magic Flute, 1971
The Marriage of Figaro, 1971
Le Rossignol, 1970
The Marriage of Figaro, 1970
The Rake’s Progress, 1970
Le Rossignol, 1969
The Magic Flute, 1969
The Magic Flute, 1968
Boulevard Solitude, 1967
Don Giovanni, 1966
The Rake’s Progress, 1966
The Stag King, 1965
L’enfant et les sortilèges, 1964
Rigoletto, 1964
Le Rossignol, 1963
Le Rossignol, 1962
The Rake’s Progress, 1962
The Rake’s Progress, 1960
Tosca, 1960
Abduction from the Seraglio, 1959
Regina, 1959
Falstaff, 1958

Henry Heymann
Designer
Scenery and Costumes
Henry Heymann
SFO Debut:
The Barber of Seville, 1959 (Scenic Designer)
Past Seasons:
Salome, 1967 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Marriage of Figaro, 1967 (Costume Designer)
Don Giovanni, 1966 (Costume Designer)
Rigoletto, 1966 (Costume Designer)
La traviata, 1965 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Marriage of Figaro, 1965 (Costume Designer)
La bohème, 1964 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Daphne, 1964 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Gianni Schicchi, 1964 (Costume Designer)
L’enfant et les sortilèges, 1964 (Scenic Designer)
Carmen, 1964 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Marriage of Figaro, 1964 (Costume Designer)
Rigoletto, 1964 (Costume Designer)
L’enfant et les sortilèges, 1963 (Scenic Designer)
Le Rossignol, 1963 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Joan of Arc at the Stake, 1963 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Don Giovanni, 1963 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Die Fledermaus, 1963 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Rake’s Progress, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Tosca, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Perséphone, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Oedipus Rex, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Renard, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Mavra, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Le Rossignol, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Joan of Arc at the Stake, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
La traviata, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Salome, 1962 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
News of the Day, 1961 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Marriage of Figaro, 1961 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
La bohème, 1961 (Scenic Designer)
Carmen, 1961 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Perséphone, 1961 (Scenic Designer)
Oedipus Rex, 1961 (Scenic Designer)
The Marriage of Figaro, 1960 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Tosca, 1960 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Rake’s Progress, 1960 (Scenic Designer)
Oedipus Rex, 1960 (Scenic Designer)
Gianni Schicchi, 1960 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Cinderella, 1960 (Scenic Designer)
La traviata, 1960 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
The Gondoliers, 1960 (Scenic & Costume Designer)
Regina, 1959 (Scenic Designer)

Stephen H. Arnold
Lighting Designer
Stephen H. Arnold
SFO Debut:
Tosca, 1960
Past Seasons:
The Marriage of Figaro, 1960
Tosca 1960
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