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Tosca 1994

July 1 - August 27, 1994

In Puccini’s gripping melodrama…

…the heroine unwittingly helps to destroy her lover and, ultimately, his rival and herself.

Music By
Giacomo Puccini
Libretto By
Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica

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 headshot

Mary Jane Johnson

Soprano

Floria Tosca

Neil Rosenshein headshot

Neil Rosenshein

Tenor

Mario Cavaradossi

Timothy Noble headshot

Timothy Noble

Baritone

Baron Scarpia

François Loup headshot

François Loup

Bass-baritone

A Sacristan

Anthony Laciura headshot

Anthony Laciura

Tenor

Spoletta

Jamie Offenbach headshot

Jamie Offenbach

Bass-baritone

Angelotti

George Cordes headshot

George Cordes

Bass-baritone

Sciarrone

Carlos Conde headshot

Carlos Conde

Bass-baritone

A Jailer

John Crosby headshot

John Crosby

Conductor

(July 1 - 15)

George Manahan headshot

George Manahan

Conductor

(July 22 - August 27)

John Copley headshot

John Copley

Director

John Conklin headshot

John Conklin

Scenic Designer

Michael Stennett headshot

Michael Stennett

Costume Designer

Stephen Strawbridge headshot

Stephen Strawbridge

Lighting Designer

Gary Wedow headshot

Gary Wedow

Chorus Master