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Overview

Synopsis

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.

Show Information

Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1900
Genres
Drama, Romance
Settings
Spectacle
Time & Place
Rome, 1800
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
None
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
Professional Opera, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Floria Tosca

Lead

Female

Soprano

Mario Cavaradossi

Lead

Male

Tenor

Baron Scarpia

Lead

Male

Baritone

Cesare Angelotti

Supporting

Male

Bass

A Sacristan

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Spoletta

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Sciarrone

Featured

Male

Bass

A Jailer

Featured

Male

Bass

A Shepherd Boy

Featured

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

The Chorus

Ensemble

Either Gender

Songs

Act I: The Church of Sant’Andrea Della Valle

  • Scena (Angelotti, Sagrestano, Cavaradossi)
  • Aria: Recondita armonia (Cavaradossi)
  • Duetto e Scena: Non la sospiri, la nostra casetta… Qual’occhio al mondo (Tosca, Cavaradossi)
  • Scena (Cavaradossi, Angelotti, Sagrestano, Coro, Scarpia, Spoletta)
  • Scena (Tosca, Scarpia)
  • Finale Primo Atto (Scarpia, Spoletta, Coro)

Act II: Palazzo Farnese (Scarpia’s apartment)

  • Scena ed Aria (Scarpia, Sciarrone, Spoletta)
  • Coro e Scena (Coro, Cavaradossi, Scarpia, Tosca, Spoletta)
  • Arioso (Scarpia)
  • Aria: Vissi d’arte (Tosca)
  • Scena (Tosca, Scarpia, Spoletta)

Act III: The platform of the Castel Sant’Angelo

  • Scena (A Shepherd, Jailer, Cavaradossi)
  • Aria: E lucevan le stelle (Cavaradossi)
  • Duetto e Scena (Tosca, Cavaradossi)
  • Finale (Tosca, Spoletta, Sciarrone,Some Soldiers)

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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