Puccini’s most controversial opera – Tosca to open at the LA Opera

This is definitely the most discussed and most loved opera by Giacomo Puccini. A fiery protagonist finds herself trapped between her allegiance to her rebel lover and the scheming of a treacherous police chief who will stop at nothing in his lust for her. The unbearable situation leads to intense drama and an unexpected, quite bloody grand final.

 

The story was originally written by the French dramatist Victorien Sardou during the second half of 1800. For years Giacomo Puccini tried to get the copyright on this libretto, but more than once he gave up; he seemed not too sure about the subject, and the legal issues between the author and other potential artists interested in transforming it into operadidn’t help. But when he finally had the story into his hands, he decided to make it passionate, endearing, merciless and, most of all, realistic.

 

He went to Rome to hear the bells of Castel Sant’Angelo ring and to speak with a priest, to recreate a real background. Then he tried to set the opera in a precise historical moment: he opted for 1800. At that time, Italy had long been under the domination of the Habsburg dynasty, but Napoleon Bonaparte had become a threat. Apparently, his victory was really received as described in the opera. And then the costumes and the set design: both were created basing on original documents of that time. Every detail had to be accurate.

 

Puccini had to face conflicts and critics during the making of Tosca, but at the end he was as satisfied with his work as he had never been before.

 

Tosca opened at the Teatro Costanzi (also known as Teatro dell’Opera) of Rome in January of 1900, in a tough political climate and with the fear of a possible insurrection against the Queen Margherita, present at the opening night. The audience was simply enthusiastic. Yet, the performance didn’t get the same reaction from the critics. Il Corriere della Sera, one of Italy’s main newspapers, defined the opera as “an excessive drama that lacks of any psychological detail.” But the opinion of the audience prevailed, and Tosca started touring the world.

 

Since then, the incredible character of Floria Tosca has been interpreted by many memorable actresses, including Maria Jeritza, Geraldine Farrar, Maria Caniglia and Maria Callas.

 

Tosca is now ready to hit the LA Opera with a new production from the Houston Grand Opera. American Sondra Radvanovsky will be the fiery protagonist, conducted by Placido Domingo. Tosca will open at the LA Opera on Saturday, May 18. More information at www.laopera.com