Tosca with Jonas Kaufmann and Elena Stkhina: Arena di Verona Opera Festival 2024
Verona, Arena di Verona
About the Event
Again the Arena di Verona will shine with Hugo De Ana's spectacular version of Giacomo Puccini's beloved Tosca.
On Friday, August 30, Tosca will be performed on the huge stage of the Arena di Verona with an extraordinary cast. The leading female role will be played by Elena Stikhina, one of the most popular sopranos of our time. Jonas Kaufmann, who is ready to return to the amphitheater, will take on the role of Mario Cavaradossi, the painter and revolutionary as well as the passionate lover of Tosca: the tenor from Munich will sing him for the first time in La Scala's amphitheater, thus reaffirming his bond with Verona and the Fondazione Arena. The star trio is completed by the baritone Ludovic Tézier, who will play the perfidious Baron Scarpia, chief of police, persecutor of revolutionaries such as Cavaradossi and burning with passion for the diva Floria Tosca, one of the most iconic antagonists in the entire operatic repertoire.
Hugo de Ana adorns the stage with magnificent sculptural figures that reflect aspects of the drama itself.
Tosca is a three‐act opera composed by Giacomo Puccini at the end of the 19th century. The libretto is by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica.
A melodrama set in Rome in 1800, during Napoleon´s invasion of Italy, the piece depicts torture, murder, and suicide alongside love, jealousy and conviction, in some of Puccini´s most intensely lyrical and dramatic music. Through‐composed, the use of thematic motifs emulates Wagnerian technique, and it is clear Puccini intended 'Tosca' to be a work of music drama. The opera was not critically acclaimed at its premiere, early in 1900, but was an immediate success with audiences — a trend that has continued into the present.
Act 1
Angelotti, a political prisoner, has just escaped from the Castel Sant’Angelo and seeks refuge in his family chapel in a nearby church. A sacristan enters with the painter Cavaradossi, who continues his work on a portrait of Mary Magdalene. Angelotti reveals his presence and asks for his friend’s help, but hides again as the painter’s lover, the famous opera singer Floria Tosca, enters. Tosca is suspicious, but Cavaradossi reassures her of his fidelity, and the lovers plan to meet later in the evening.
A cannon shot, announcing Angelotti’s escape, is heard and Cavaradossi helps his friend flee.
The chief of police, Baron Scarpia, arrives searching for Angelotti. Suspecting Cavaradossi’s involvement, Scarpia convinces Tosca that Cavaradossi has run off with another woman, knowing that Tosca’s jealousy will lead him to Cavaradossi and Angelotti. As the ‘Te Deum’ builds in intensity, he vows to ensnare them all.
Act 2
Cavaradossi has been arrested. Summoning Tosca from her concert in the courtyard below, Scarpia tries to extract Angelotti’s hiding place from Tosca, but she pleads ignorance, so Scarpia raises the stakes, torturing Cavaradossi. Tosca reveals the secret, asking Scarpia for Cavaradossi’s freedom in return. Delirious with pain, Cavaradossi hears Scarpia order his men to Angelotti’s hiding place, and curses Tosca.
Tosca pleads for her lover’s life, and Scarpia offers an exchange — if she will submit to his lust, he will spare Cavaradossi’s life. Tosca realises she must agree to the bargain. Scarpia tells Tosca there must be a mock execution, but slyly orders his men to prepare for a real one.
At Tosca’s request, Scarpia writes a safe‐conduct pass for her and Cavaradossi. Tosca finds a dagger among Scarpia’s papers, stabs him, and goes to find Cavaradossi, safe‐conduct in hand.
Act 3
Awaiting execution, Cavaradossi bribes the jailer for pen and paper to write a farewell letter to Tosca. Tosca appears, tells him that she has murdered Scarpia but that they will escape together following the mock‐execution. The arrival of the firing squad interrupts the lovers’ excited planning.
The shots are fired and Tosca begs Cavaradossi to wait until the soldiers are gone before he moves, then discovers to her horror that the execution was real after all. Distant shouts announce the discovery of Scarpia’s murder. As the soldiers rush in to seize Tosca, she curses Scarpia’s betrayal, and leaps to her death from the castle parapet.
Practical Information
Included are:
- Ticket to the opera performance in the chosen category
- One month's free access to a premium classical music streaming service
- self‐guided audio tour of Verona in English
Program
- Giacomo Puccini – Tosca
Cast / Production
DIRECTION, SET DESIGN, COSTUMES, LIGHTS Hugo De Ana
CONDUCTOR Daniel Oren
FLORIA TOSCA Elena Stikhina
MARIO CAVARADOSSI Jonas Kaufmann
IL BARONE SCARPIA Ludovic Tézier
CESARE ANGELOTTI Gabriele Sagona
IL SAGRESTANO Giulio Mastrototaro
SPOLETTA Carlo Bosi
SCIARRONE Nicolò Ceriani
UN CARCERIERE Carlo Striuli
UN PASTORE Mattia Lucatti
Address
Arena di Verona, Piazza Bra 28, Verona, Italy — Google Maps
