Tosca

The story of Tosca

Floria Tosca and Mario Cavaradossi live for each other and for their art. But when Cavaradossi helps an escaped prisoner, the lovers make a deadly enemy in the form of Baron Scarpia, Chief of Police. At the mercy of Scarpia’s twisted desires, Tosca is forced to make a horrific bargain: sleeping with the man she hates, in order to save the man she loves. Can she find a way out?

The composer’s journey: from Sardou’s play to Puccini’s opera

Character-painting through music

Puccini’s music plunges the audience straight into the action, and the pace doesn’t let up. Featuring the heroine’s sublime prayer to art, ‘Vissi d’arte’ (I lived for art), and Cavaradossi’s lament, ‘E lucevan le stelle’ (And the stars were shining), his poignant lament, Tosca is an icon of the opera repertoire. Puccini portrays the idealism of Tosca and her lover Cavaradossi through radiant, expansive music, including Act I’s duet ’Qual’occhio al mondo’ (What eyes of this world) and Cavaradossi’s ardent aria ’Recondita armonia’ (Hidden harmony). Scarpia’s music, by contrast, is dark and terrifying – from the demonic chords that open the opera to the violence of his Act II exchanges with Tosca. 

To find out more about Tosca, including key plot points and background information: read our Opera Essentials: Tosca.