'Tosca' opera

Since we're into all kinds of music, a few years ago we decided to take an adult ed. course about opera because we wanted to learn more about it. We liked it so much we go every term - 2 hours a week for 8 weeks, no tests, watch & discuss videos, just fun & lstening to relaxing music for $50.  For those who don't like opera, it's not what you think it is until you see a good production. Later on I'll explain why people like opera.

Tonight a free school bus takes us into Hartford to see a production and brings us home; no driving or parking worries. We only pay for the tickets.  We're seeing one that would please almost anyone. It's loaded with lots of passion, lust, intrigue, jealousy, treachery, torture, killings, and Puccini's great music - all in about two hours. Most operas run about three hours and longer; and that's not including the usual two intermissions.

Here's some brief info:

Giacomo Puccini's
TOSCA

Librettist: Giacosa and Illica
Based on a play by Sardou

Cast of Characters

• Floria Tosca,Soprano,Celebrated singer and actress
• Mario Cavaradossi,Tenor,painter
• Baron Scarpia,Baritone,Cheif of Police
• Cesare Angelotti,Bass,a political prisoner
• Sacristan,Baritone
• Sciarrone,Bass,a servant
• Jailor,Bass
• Shepherd,Contralto
• Roberti, Executioner, a Cardinal, Judge, Scribe, Officer, Soldiers and Citizens.

Setting

Rome in June 1800.

Premiere

14th January 1900; Teatro Constanzi, Rome.

Plot

Floria Tosca and Mario Cavaradossi are in love and all they want is to be left alone. Baron Scarpia, however, wants Floria for his physical needs. He arrests and has Mario tortured for aiding a fugitive and tells Tosca she can save him by giving herself to him. She agrees, but the kiss he has so longed for is the fatal kiss of a knife blade. He had promised to setup a false execution for Mario, but the treachery of Scarpia is revealed as Mario is killed. As the police arrive to capture her, Tosca vows to meet Scarpia in front of God as she leaps over the side of the building to her death.

Memorable sections of music

Recondita armonia di bellezze
Qual' occhio al mondo
Te Deum
Act II: Torture Scene
Floria, Amore!
Vissi d'amore
E lucevan le stelle
O dolci mani

Here's links to the local newspaper's rave review & pictures.

http://www.courant.com/entertainment/music/hc-toscarev.artoct30,0,2501196.story

http://www.connecticutopera.org/newsroom/press/WebProofs/ClickHereToView.html

It's midnight here and we're home after seeing a very good thrilling production, probably the best one our class has seen so far and that was their opinion too. Sets, costumes, orchestration, singing, acting: all components melded together to create a highly pleasurable experience. Tosca is the kind of opera that would make anyone who doesn't like opera change their mind after seeing. I pretty much agree with the review and the audience felt the same in their enthusiastic applause. I thought the male leads were a bit better than the female lead in projecting her good voice (the Mrs disagreed), a minor quibble that did not spoil my enjoyment.