Tosca - Giacomo Puccini

Tosca - Giacomo Puccini
Floria Tosca | Katharina Jing An Gebauer
Mario Cavaradossi | Sergio Tallo-Torres
Baron Scarpia | Florian Pejrimovsky
Mesner/Sciarrone | Stefan Tanzer
Angelotti | Michael Pinsker
Spoletta | Johannes Eriksson
Shepherd's Song | Victoria Wolf
Chorus: In Highest Tones!
Children's Choir | In Highest Tones!
Musical Direction | Ekaterina Nokkert
Production & Lighting | Dorothee Stanglmayr

Tosca in the crypt of St. Peter's Church is not an ordinary opera experience. The special atmosphere of the historic vault gives the performance an unusual intensity and draws visitors right into the heart of Puccini's most dramatic masterpiece. Without large stage machinery, but with a clear, concentrated staging and an ideal cast, an unforgettable opera evening is created. The impressive acoustics of the crypt and the proximity to the stage guarantee goosebumps. OPERA in the CRYPT offers authentic performances as close to the original as possible. Internationally renowned artists sing and perform scenically right in front of and among the guests. The works are presented here intensely and compellingly, just as the composers would have liked - with exclusive piano accompaniment. A touching, powerful experience. The hall is pleasantly temperate at any time of the year.

Plot:
The painter Mario Cavaradossi hides a political refugee from the clutches of the police chief Baron Scarpia. When Scarpia encounters Tosca in the church while searching for her, he stirs her (unfounded) jealousy. She suspects her beloved Mario to be in the arms of a blonde beauty. Outraged, Tosca sets out to catch them in the act. Scarpia is inflamed by her temperament and beauty and has her followed.

In the evening, he summons her with an "invitation." The now-arrested Cavaradossi is to be tortured if she does not reveal where the refugee is hidden. Mario implores Tosca not to say anything. When the torture becomes unbearable, she can no longer hold out and reveals the secret to save her beloved.

Nevertheless, Cavaradossi is sentenced to death. Tosca pleads with Scarpia for his life, and he proposes a deal: If she submits to him, Mario would only be shot for show. As proof, he issues a pass for both of them and instructs his henchman with a meaningful glance. As Scarpia eagerly approaches Tosca, she stabs him.

Tosca seeks her Mario on the roof of the Castel Sant'Angelo, the site of his execution. Excitedly, she shows him the pass and explains that he will only be shot for show. He must fall as if he were an actor. After that, they will leave Rome forever.

The soldiers soon appear. Cavaradossi refuses the blindfold and stands in front of the rifles. As the shots ring out, the all-observing Tosca praises her Mario, who has fallen perfectly. She quickly runs to him, horrified to understand that Scarpia deceived her: Mario Cavaradossi is dead. When Scarpia's henchmen try to apprehend the murderer, she takes her own life.