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Tosca 1978

July 5 - August 26, 1978

One of the most popular operas ever written…

…the story of the love and deaths of Floria Tosca and Mario Cavaradossi.

Music By
Giacomo Puccini
Libretto By
Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, based on a play by Victorien Sardou

Synopsis

Act I

The scene is set in Rome in 1800.

The Church of Sant’Andrea della Valle. 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 Marchesa 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.

Artists

Clamma Dale

Soprano

Tosca

Jacque Trussel headshot

Jacque Trussel

Tenor

Cavaradossi

Victor Braun

Victor Braun

Baritone

Scarpia

Joseph McKee

Bass-baritone

Sacristan

Joseph Frank

Tenor

Spoletta

John Brandstetter

Baritone

Angelotti

Mark Jones

Bass-baritone

Sciarrone

Kevin Maynor

Bass-baritone

Jailer

John Crosby headshot

John Crosby

Conductor

Jack O'Brien

Director

Sam Kirkpatrick

Scenic Designer

Dona Granata headshot

Dona Granata

Costume Designer

Stephen Ross

Lighting Designer

Terry Lusk

Chorus Master