Tosca

Puccini's beloved work was premiered in Rome 100 years after the events of the opera supposedly took place in the Eternal City. Set during the turbulent Napoleonic wars, this melodrama seethes with both romantic and political passion. Opera singer Floria Tosca is in love with the painter Mario Cavaradossi, who daringly aids the prison escape of Angelotti, his friend and former republican ally. After Mario himself is captured and tortured, it appears that Tosca can save his life only by yielding to the cunningly evil Chief of Police, Baron Scarpia. Tosca cries that she lives for "art and love," but in the end takes her own life rather than submit to the enemy. Heartbreaking arias, soaring duets and powerful choruses combine in this verismo masterpiece.

Production sponsored by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation

With additional support from AT&T