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Tosca - Articles Page 3

Closing: December 13, 2024

Tosca - West End History , Info & More

Royal Opera House
Covent Garden London

__FROM SARDOU'S PLAY TO PUCCINI’S OPERA__


From the early 1890s Giacomo Puccini had toyed with adapting French playwright Victorien Sardou’s gripping melodrama La Tosca into an opera, but only began serious work following the premiere of the critically acclaimed La bohème in 1896. Employing La bohème's gifted librettists Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica to streamline Sardou's complicated plot, Puccini’s Tosca premiered in 1900. 

With the city gripped by political unrest, fears of violence plagued the premiere at Rome’s Teatro Costanzi. However, Tosca opened without incident, and although unpopular with critics who disliked its violence, it became an immediate success with the public and has remained a favourite ever since.

__CHARACTER-PAINTING THROUGH MUSIC__


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), Cavaradossi's ardent aria 'Recondita armonia' (Hidden harmony) and Tosca's despairing Act II prayer 'Vissi d'arte' (I lived for my art). 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.


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Tosca - - West End Articles Page 3

Interview: Kendal Hartse Refuses to Be Commodified in UH OH! at The Gym At Judson
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jun 12, 2025


Featuring songs from Jeff Buckley, Golden Rainbow, Puccini, and beyond, UH OH! is a wild journey through the sacred soul of the artist in a capitalist world that demands she be commodified. Read a conversation with star and writer Kendal Hartse.

Video: Harvey Fierstein Responds to Special Tony for Lifetime Achievement
by Joey Mervis - Jun 8, 2025


Earlier tonight at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, Harvey Fierstein took the stage to accept a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement. After leaving the stage at Radio City Music Hall, he checked in with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share his initial reaction! Watch in this video.

Exclusive: Harvey Fierstein Looks Back on His Life in the Theatre
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - Jun 6, 2025


On Sunday, June 8, Harvey Fierstein will take the stage at Radio City Music Hall to accept perhaps the biggest award of his career- the 2025 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. Watch in this exclusive video as Harvey looks back on his incredible contributions to the American theatre and gets ready for Sunday night!

Lesley Garrett Debuts With Northern Ireland Opera in FOLLIES
by Stephi Wild - Jun 5, 2025


Lesley Garrett CBE is the newest cast member to join Northern Ireland Opera’s historic revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman’s Follies at the Grand Opera House in Belfast this Autumn.

Guild Opera Company Will Host 5 SOPRANOS in Concert
by Stephi Wild - May 30, 2025


Guild Opera Company is presenting a 5 Sopranos Concert with opera's best mad scenes to highlight the magnificence of the soprano voice and its capabilities. Learn more here!

Opera Montana Unveils 2025-26 Season Including RAGTIME Directed By Francesca Zambello
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 28, 2025


Opera Montana - the state's oldest professional opera company -  has revealed its 2025-2026 season, the company's 48th. See the full season and learn how to purchase tickets.

Cast Set For FOLLIES at the Northern Ireland Opera
by Stephi Wild - May 27, 2025


Northern Ireland Opera has announced the first members of the Cast for Follies, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Goldman. Learn more here!

University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra Performs at Stern Auditorium
by Emmy Rice - May 25, 2025


On Friday May 30, 2025, at 8 PM, the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra will present a concert at Stern Auditorium in Carnegie Hall conducted by Kenneth Kiesler featuring soloists Karen Slack, soprano, Goitsemang Lehobye, soprano, and Daniel Washington, bass.

Indigenous Singers Kirsten C. Kunkle, Gabriel Manro, & Hugo Vera Headline TOSCA With Mission Opera
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2025


Renowned Muscogee citizen soprano Kirsten C. Kunkle makes her debut in the title role of Tosca with Santa Clarita, California's Mission Opera. Reuniting with Kunkle from the world premiere of the first Native American language (Chickasaw) opera Loksi' Shaali' (“Shell Shaker”), tenor Hugo Vera, of Tiwa heritage, sings the role of Cavaradossi.

Cast Set for A NIGHT OF MELLON COLLIE AND INFINITE SADNESS at Lyric Opera
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2025


A Night of Mellon Collie and Infinite Sadness, will be presented on stage at Lyric Opera of Chicago for seven performances only.

UH OH! Comes to the Gym at Judson
by Stephi Wild - May 15, 2025


New York's new interdisciplinary performance group, co-founded by artistic director Austin Regan and resident artist Kendal Hartse – will present their inaugural production UH OH!

Xian Zhang Conducts Rachmaninoff And Shostakovich With New Jersey Symphony
by A.A. Cristi - May 14, 2025


New Jersey Symphony will present its Season Finale concerts with Music Director Xian Zhang conducting Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony. Pianist Conrad Tao performs Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto, an audience favorite. 

Review: TOSCA at McCaw Hall
by Erica Miner - May 12, 2025


Ending the season with a memorable production of one of opera’s most tour de force masterpieces is sure to motivate audiences to return for Seattle Opera’s next season

2025 Princeton Festival Opening Weekend Begins June 6
by A.A. Cristi - May 9, 2025


The Princeton Festival runs June 6-21 and includes pops concerts, opera, an evening of dance, a Vivaldi concert and a Motown tribute, plus a joy-filled finale featuring the music of ABBA. A Baroque concert and bluegrass-infused violin recital take place at nearby Trinity Church. There are also a Community Day and Juneteenth events.

The Theatre School Hosts Climate Action Festival to Inspire Environmental Action
by A.A. Cristi - May 8, 2025


In continuation of the celebration of its Centennial year, The Theatre School at DePaul University has announced the launch of a Climate Action Festival, running Wednesday, May 14 through Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Review: AMERICAN RHAPSODY at Kennedy Center
by David Friscic - May 7, 2025


An evening of the myriad modes of music that constitute the American Experience was celebrated at the Kennedy Center’s production of American Rhapsody. The evening was a rich treasure trove of the glory that is American music from opera, spirituals, modern composers, classic songwriters, and Broadway.

Review: SALOME Times Seven Doesn’t Add Up to Extra Enjoyment in New Met Production
by Richard Sasanow - Apr 30, 2025


Even without an over-the-top production—and the Met has had a couple of those—Richard Strauss’s SALOME has been outraging audiences for more than 120 years. This week’s new take by director Claus Guth in his Met debut was no exception.

Photos: MOULIN ROUGE! World Tour Kicks Off This Week
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2025


All new photos have been released from the first ever World Tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the multi-award-winning hit stage show, which opens this week in Edinburgh before touring to venues across the UK, Europe and beyond.

Harvey Fierstein Will Receive a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 24, 2025


The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced that legendary actor and writer, and four-time Tony Award winner, Harvey Fierstein will receive the 2025 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.

Zachary James, Bonnie Montgomery, and Megan Nielson Will Perform at OPERA AT THE ATELIER
by Stephi Wild - Apr 18, 2025


Zachary James, country music standout and opera composer Bonnie Montgomery, and operatic soprano Megan Nielson unite for 'Opera at the Atelier.' Learn more about the event here!

MACBETH Comes to Guild Opera Company
by Stephi Wild - Apr 14, 2025


The great operatic masterpiece, MACBETH will be presented by Guild Opera Company at River of the Valley in Canoga Park. Learn more about the production here!

Xian Zhang Conducts Mozart, Bach, And Abels with New Jersey Symphony
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 3, 2025


New Jersey Symphony will present Music Director Xian Zhang conducting Mozart, Bach and Abels, with the Symphony’s principal violins, Eric Wyrick and Francine Storck, stepping up to perform Bach’s Double Concerto with the orchestra.

Review: Opera MANON LESCAUT přichází na scénu Státní opery měsíc po premiéře baletu
by Krystof Petrasek - Apr 3, 2025


Pucciniho opera si po letech opět našla cestu do Národního divadla, konkrétně na scénu Státní opery. Premiéra proběhla měsíc od premiéry baletu na stejný námět na stejné scéně. Manon Lescaut se navíc ještě nedávno hrála na scéně Národního divadla v populárním činoherním představením v české adaptaci Vítězslava Nezvala.

The Royal Ballet and Opera Reveals 2025/26 Season With Justin Peck and More
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2025


The Royal Ballet and Opera launches its 2025/26 Season, unveiling an unforgettable programme of new commissions, world premieres and much-loved revivals alongside the first annual festival connecting the worlds of opera and technology. 

Portland State University Opera Presents Puccini's SUOR ANGELICA & GIANNI SCHICCHI In April
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 1, 2025


Portland State University Opera will present “Suor Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi,” two one-act operas by the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini with libretto by Giovacchino Forzano.

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