Radio Broadcast: Puccini's
Tosca
Saturday, November 26, 2011 at Noon on Classical 91.7FM (
www.classical917.org) and WFMT Network (
WFMT.com)
Sung in Italian
Renowned soprano Patricia Racette makes her role debut as the passionate Floria Tosca in Puccini’s timeless drama. Tenor Alexey Dolgov is the painter Mario Cavaradossi, whom Tosca adores and Raymond Aceto
sings the menacing Baron Scarpia who will stop at nothing to destroy
the object of Tosca’s affections. Created especially for Houston Grand
Opera, this new production by John Caird features classic sets and costumes designed by Bunny Christie in the style of nineteenth-century Rome.
Guarantors
The Methodist Hospital Center for Performing Arts Medicine
Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Stai, Tone Owen Foundation Endowed Fund
Grand Underwriter
Anadarko
photos by Felix Sanchez
Recorded live at the Wortham Theater Center, Winter 2010
Houston Grand Opera broadcasts its operas nationally via the WFMT Radio Network. In Houston, Classical 91.7FM (www.classical917.org)
airs these programs on Saturday afternoons starting at noon. If you
find yourself outside the Houston area, please check your local radio
listings or visit WFMT.com to find a radio station near you that carries the broadcast.
Houston Grand Opera broadcasts are made possible by major grants from
the Wortham Foundation and from the Ford Foundation Endowment Fund for
Electronic Media, through the Houston Grand Opera Endowment. Recording
for broadcast is made possible through the facilities of Classical
91.7FM; Houston Grand Opera’s Recording Engineer is Marlan Barry.
Programming is at the discretion of member stations and is subject to change.
Synopsis by John Caird
June 1800. Italy has long been under the domination of the
Hapsburg dynasty. Napoleon Bonaparte, however, has emerged as a threat
to the status quo and Rome is in chaos, without a clear ruler. Baron
Scarpia, the chief of police, has become the highest authority. Loyal to
the King and Queen of Naples, Scarpia seeks to eliminate any remaining
trace of Napoleon's attempts to establish a secular Roman Republic.
Act I: The Church of Sant'Andrea delle Valle
Cesare Angelotti, a Republican, has just escaped from the Castel
Sant'Angelo where he had been imprisoned by Scarpia. Angelotti's sister,
the Marchesa Attavanti, has hidden a disguise for him in the church,
where the painter Mario Cavaradossi is working on a painting of Mary
Magdalene with the begrudging help of the Sacristan. Cavaradossi takes
as his inspiration both the Marchesa, whom he has recently seen at
prayer, and his beloved Floria Tosca, a prominent opera singer.
Cavaradossi recognises Angelotti and promises to help him escape, but is
surprised by a visit from Tosca. Angelotti hides while Cavaradossi
attempts a quick conversation with Tosca. She is instantly suspicious of
Cavaradossi's cautious behavior and jealous of the woman she sees
represented in his painting. Cavaradossi assuages her fears and they
make plans to spend the evening together. No sooner has Tosca gone than a
cannon shot signals that Angelotti's escape has been discovered.
Cavaradossi and Angelotti depart immediately for Cavaradossi's villa.
The Sacristan returns with news of Napoleon's defeat by the Austrians.
Arrangements have been made for an immediate Festival Te Deum and a
concert at the Palazzo Farnese featuring Floria Tosca. Baron Scarpia,
who has come in search of Angelotti, interrupts the preparations.
Scarpia and his spies find an empty basket of food and a woman's fan
bearing the Attavanti family crest. When Tosca returns to see
Cavaradossi, her jealousy is again aroused by his absence. Scarpia preys
on her suspicions by showing her the Marchesa's fan. When she leaves,
Scarpia orders his agent Spoletta to follow her. As the congregation
assembles for the Te Deum, Scarpia plans to eliminate Cavaradossi and
possess Tosca for himself.
Act II: Baron Scarpia's apartment at the Palazzo Farnese
Scarpia relishes his plan to execute the traitors and seduce Tosca. When
Cavaradossi is brought for questioning, the painter denies any
knowledge of Angelotti's location. At Scarpia's request, Tosca arrives
from the victory celebrations. Cavaradossi is then taken into an
adjoining room and tortured. His agonized cries force Tosca to divulge
Angelotti's hiding place—the well in the garden of Cavaradossi's villa.
The tortures cease; Tosca and Cavaradossi are briefly reunited before
Scarpia orders Spoletta to Angelotti's hiding place. As Cavaradossi
denounces Tosca for her betrayal, news arrives that Napoleon has
actually defeated the Austrians at Marengo. Cavaradossi predicts greater
and greater victory for the Republicans, and Scarpia orders him taken
away for execution. When Tosca pleads for mercy, Scarpia makes his price
clear: she can buy Cavaradossi’s life by giving herself to Scarpia.
She agrees. Since Scarpia has ordered Cavaradossi's death, a mock
execution must be arranged, and he seems to give this order to Spoletta.
Tosca makes one further request: a warrant of safe passage so that she
and Cavaradossi can leave the country. This done, Scarpia advances to
embrace her, and she stabs him to death.
Act III: The Roof of the Castel Sant'Angelo
The distant song of a passing shepherd boy and church bells toll the
approaching dawn. Cavaradossi is brought into the castle yard to prepare
for his death and his thoughts turn to Tosca. He is attempting to write
a final letter to her when she appears. She shows him the warrant of
safe passage, explains the mock execution and describes how she killed
Scarpia. Tosca and Cavaradossi dream of their future happiness together.
As the soldiers assemble for the execution, Tosca instructs Cavaradossi
to feign his death and remain motionless until she can confirm it is
safe to leave. After the soldiers depart, she discovers she has been
betrayed: Cavaradossi is dead . Spoletta and his men try to arrest Tosca
for the murder of Scarpia, but she is too quick for them. Vowing to
confront Scarpia before God, she takes her own life.
