Italiano | English
Music by
Giovanni Puccini
Libretto by
Giuseppe Giacosa andLuigi Illica
La Tosca was first performed in Rome, at the Teatro Costanzi, on January 14, 1900.
The Characters
- Tosca, celebrated singer and actress
- Mario Cavaradossi, painter
- Cesare Angelotti, a political prisoner
- Baron Scarpia, Chief of Police
Act One
Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle. An escaped political prisoner, Cesare Angelotti, takes refuge in a secret hiding place in the family chapel of his sister, the Marchesa Attavanti. When the painter Mario Cavaradossi arrives to work on his mural, Angelotti recognizes him as a fellow revolutionary sympathizer and asks for his help. Cavaradossi agrees, but conceals his involvement from his lover, the jealous opera star Floria Tosca. As a result, the Baron Scarpia, Chief of Roman Police, finds it easy to arouse Tosca's suspicions of an affair between Cavaradossi and the Marchesa. When Tosca goes to find her supposedly unfaithful lover, the police follow her to Cavaradossi's villa. Cavaradossi tells her the truth, and hurries her away before the police arrive; they arrest the painter, but are unable to find Angelotti, who is hidden in the well in the garden.
Act Two
Apartments of the Baron Scarpia at the Farnese Palace. Cavaradossi refuses to talk, and is tortured, while Tosca tries to save him. She breaks down and betrays Angelotti's hiding place. News arrives that Bonaparte and the revolutionary armies, thought defeated, have in fact won the battle at Marengo. Cavaradossi is overjoyed, but is dragged away for execution, leaving Tosca alone with the Baron. Scarpia offers to arrange a mock execution if Tosca will agree to satisfy his lust; she agrees, but instead stabs him to death.
Act Three
Cavaradossi prepares for death at the Castel Sant'Angelo. Tosca arrives and tells him that they will soon be free, but the firing squad is real. They fire and Cavaradossi falls to the ground. Tosca whispers to him to remain motionless until everyone has gone. At last she tells him it is safe, but he does not respond. Tosca realizes Scarpia's final deceit. She weeps over Cavaradossi's body, then runs to a parapet, and hurls herself to her death.
Italiano | English