Giacomo Puccini<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opera<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The action occurs in Rome on 17 June 1800.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
opera in three acts <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica<\/p>\n\n\n\n based on the eponymous drama by Victorien Sardou<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The premiere took place at the Teatro Costanzi on 14 January 1900 (Rome)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the Astana Opera House, the premiere took place on 9 May 2014<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Performed in Italian <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n (accompanied by synchronized captions in Kazakh and Russian)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n ACT I<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church of Sant\u2019Andrea della Valle, Rome <\/p>\n\n\n\n Monarchical Italy of 1800. Cesare Angelotti, an escaped political prisoner, sneaks into the church. Here, in the family chapel of his sister Marchesa Attavanti, a set of women\u2019s clothes has been hidden for his escape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the church, the painter Mario Cavaradossi is working on the likeness of Mary Magdalene. The Sacristan who is serving him is surprised by the resemblance between the portrait and Marchesa Attavanti, who was praying in the church the day before. Left alone, Cavaradossi sees Angelotti hiding in the church. He wants to help the fugitive, but suddenly his beloved, Floria Tosca, a celebrated singer, calls him. Cavaradossi\u2019s distraction raises jealous suspicion in Tosca, which increases when she recognizes Marchesa Attavanti in Mario\u2019s painting. With great effort, the painter manages to reassure Tosca and persuades her to leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cavaradossi returns to Angelotti and offers him shelter in his house, where, in case of pursuit, Angelotti can hide in a garden well. The sound of a cannon signals that Angelotti\u2019s escape has been discovered. He and Cavaradossi hasten out of the church. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Preparations for the celebratory Mass are starting. The Chief of Police Scarpia rushes into the church with his police agents, seeking the fugitive. The fan with Attavanti\u2019s initials found in the chapel and Cavaradossi\u2019s empty basket of food put Scarpia on the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tormented by jealousy, Tosca returns to the church. Scarpia decides to use the singer\u2019s suspiciousness. He shows Tosca the fan and suggests that the painter has left with the Marchesa. In despair, she rushes off to Mario\u2019s house and Scarpia orders his agents to follow her. Tosca becomes an unwitting participant in Scarpia\u2019s hellish plan not only to catch the fugitive, but also to possess Tosca \u2013 the object of his secret passion…<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church is filled with the chapel choir and the townspeople. The church service begins. The congregation sings the Te Deum<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ACT II<\/p>\n\n\n\n Palazzo Farnese <\/p>\n\n\n\n Scarpia is waiting for reports in his office. Baron sends Tosca an invitation to come to him after she finishes singing the celebratory cantata, which is performed to commemorate the victory of the Italian army over Napoleon. Agent Spoletta reports that the offender Angelotti has not been found at Cavaradossi\u2019s house, but the police arrested the artist himself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The interrogation of Cavaradossi gives no results. Cavaradossi tells Tosca to say nothing. Scarpia gives the prisoner into the hands of the executioner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In vain, Scarpia tries to find out her secret with enticing speeches. Only the prisoner\u2019s tortured screams break Tosca\u2019s composure and she reveals the location of the fugitive. Scarpia sends Spoletta for Angelotti. Sciarrone, a police agent, enters with news that the celebration was premature: in the Battle of Marengo Napoleon\u2019s troops defeated the Italian monarchists. Cavaradossi does not conceal his joy. Enraged Scarpia orders to throw the artist in jail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tosca implores Scarpia to free Cavaradossi. Scarpia promises to pardon the artist if Tosca becomes his mistress. Her beloved\u2019s salvation in the only thing on her mind at the moment \u2013 she agrees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Scarpia promises her to arrange a mock execution. At her request, Scarpia provides a safe-conduct out of Rome for her and her lover. As Scarpia triumphantly embraces her, she plunges a knife into his chest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With the document in hand, Tosca hurries to Cavaradossi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ACT III<\/p>\n\n\n\n Castel Sant\u2019Angelo <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cavaradossi is waiting for his execution, which will start in an hour. He writes a farewell letter to Tosca. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tosca rushes in and heatedly tells him about Scarpia\u2019s murder and that the execution will be a sham: Cavaradossi must feign death, but after the soldiers\u2019 departure they will be able to escape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The soldiers enter. A shot rang out, and the painter falls down. Tosca rushes to him, only to find him already dead. Scarpia\u2019s order to shoot blanks was a despicable lie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The police agents and the soldiers rush into the prison yard. Scarpia\u2019s murder is discovered, but Tosca is determined not to let them seize her. She throws herself over the edge of the ramparts. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The action occurs in Rome on 17 June 1800.<\/p>\n