
Tosca 1994
In Puccini’s gripping melodrama…
…the heroine unwittingly helps to destroy her lover and, ultimately, his rival and herself.
Synopsis
Act I
The scene is set in Rome in 1800. The Church of Sant’ Andrea dell a Valle. Angelotti, former consul of the Roman republic imprisoned by Baron Scarpia, stumbles disheveled into the church. Having just escaped from the Castel Sant’ Angelo prison, he seeks and finally finds a hidden key to a private chapel into which he slip 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 uncover his painting, a Mary Magdalene 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 rendezvous 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’ sister. When the empty lunch basket is also discovered, Scarpia deduces that Cavaradossi has aided the prisoner’s escape.
Tosca returns to tell Cavaradossi he 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 wanton – 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

Mary Jane Johnson
Soprano
Floria Tosca

Neil Rosenshein
Tenor
Mario Cavaradossi

Timothy Noble
Baritone
Baron Scarpia

François Loup
Bass-baritone
A Sacristan

Anthony Laciura
Tenor
Spoletta

Jamie Offenbach
Bass-baritone
Angelotti

George Cordes
Bass-baritone
Sciarrone

Carlos Conde
Bass-baritone
A Jailer

John Crosby
Conductor
(July 1 - 15)

George Manahan
Conductor
(July 22 - August 27)

John Copley
Director

John Conklin
Scenic Designer

Michael Stennett
Costume Designer

Stephen Strawbridge
Lighting Designer

Gary Wedow
Chorus Master