A tragic and political love story, Tosca explores how love overcomes all. Mario Cavaradossi, a painter, is deeply in love with Floria Tosca, a famous singer. Cavaradossi helps aid his friend Angelotti who is being pursued by the Chief of Police, Scarpia. He bursts in the church where Cavaradossi is working, interrupting a celebration. There was a rumor that Angelotti was hiding there, and Scarpia interrogates the Sacristan, discovering that the church is the workplace of Cavaradossi. Tosca returns, expecting to catch Cavaradossi with a lover, but finds Scarpia instead. Scarpia, cruelly, encourages Tosca’s jealousy, in hopes that she lead him to Cavaradossi. Tosca plays into his plan and rushes off to find Cavaradossi. Scarpia summons Tosca to his home, having arrested Cavaradossi. Cavaradossi denies his knowledge of Angelotti’s escape, but he is taken away to be tortured. Scarpia proposes a deal to Tosca that if she gives herself to him, he will free her lover. Tosca finally consents after he writes a consent of freedom for Cavaradossi, but then stabs Scarpia to death. Cavaradossi is to be executed, but Tosca shows up and has a plan to free him. Cavaradossi must feign death in front of the shooting squad as they will not actually shoot him, due to her deal with Scarpia.They shoot Cavaradossi, but Tosca discovers that Scarpia has betrayed her and Cavaradossi has actually been killed. Scarpia’s henchmen come to arrest Tosca for Scarpia’s murder, but she hurls herself over the edge of the building to her death.
Tosca guide sections
