Photo: Mark HamiltonMasterfully conceived by a consummate storyteller, Anthony Besch’s treasured production of Tosca transports Puccini's powerful drama to Fascist Italy in the early 1940s, a setting entirely in tune with the dark intensity of this passionate tale. Rich with the glamour and detail of the period, the impressive staging brings to life the majesty and wonder of the Eternal City – Rome. Read more …
Floria Tosca is the talk of the town, a famed opera diva with many dazzled admirers. But she only has eyes for one man, Mario Cavaradossi. As his behaviour becomes suspicious, she fears he has another woman. But the truth is far more dangerous. Police Chief Scarpia is obsessed by Tosca, and plans to kill her lover and take her for himself. As Scarpia's schemes unfold, Tosca and Cavaradossi are drawn into a trap from which there is no escape.
Puccini’s music, at times heartbreakingly tender, at times powerful and harrowing, captures the sweeping span of this epic story - from the exquisite stillness of a silent dawn in Rome, to the raw drama of Tosca’s final, desperate plight. Susannah Glanville, star of Opera North’s 2009 production, returns to the title role. English baritone Robert Poulton is Scarpia, and Spanish tenor José Ferrero sings Cavaradossi. Music director Francesco Corti conducts.
Is there any more powerful and emotive theatre in Puccini’s operas than Act 2 of Tosca? Certainly the way it has been portrayed since 1980 in the late Anthony Besch’s pungent and persistently recurring production for Scottish Opera, now in its seventh revival, together with Peter Rice’s majestic sets, leaves you in no doubt of that it is opera at its most exhilarating and moving.
Scottish Opera's Tosca is flawless, from start to finish a feast for the eyes, and an exceptional delivery of Puccini's powerful score.
Has lost none of its power.
Whilst perhaps there’s room for a new interpretation to take the stage, classics become classics for a reason.
Glamorous heroines, strutting villians, lovelorn swains, tunes to breeak your heart; what's not to like?
This Tosca may have been a revival, but having taken it out of storage and blown off the cobwebs it has become yet another example of the world class productions that should make every one of us proud of our national opera company.
In demand Tosca production returns to Scottish stage
Scottish Opera--Tosca at the Festival Theatre
Interview: Peter Rice
Scottish Opera: Susannah Glannville on performing as trafic Tosca.
Scottish Opera's Tosca: Robert Poutlon reveals joy at being 'as nasty as you like' as villain Scarpia.
Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Friday May 4, 2012, until Saturday May 12, 2012. Performs on the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10, and 12th of May.. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness from Thursday May 17, 2012, until Saturday May 19, 2012. No performance May 18th.. More info: www.eden-court.co.uk
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Wednesday May 23, 2012, until Saturday June 2, 2012. Performances on May 23rd, 25th, 27th, 31st and June 2nd.. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen from Thursday June 7, 2012, until Saturday June 9, 2012. No performance June 8th.. More info: www.hmtaberdeen.com
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