OPERA IN SLOVAKIA

TOSCA

Soon after my arrival in Bratislava there was a premiere of Giacomo Puccini's TOSCA on June 14. With the help of my friend and director of the press center of the Slovak national Theater PhDr. Izabela Pazitkova I was able to get a ticket on the first balcony in the first row. What a show. 

The first ever premiere of Tosca was on January 14. 1900 in Rome's Theatre Constanzi.

FIRST PART

The play takes place in Rome in June 1800, during the Napoleon wars. Consul of former Republic of Rome, state prisoner Angelotti escaped from jail in Castle di Angello and is hiding in the church of Saint Andrea de la Valle. His sister marquise Attavanti is bringing to him to their family's chapel woman's clothing for his next escape. He meets his friend the painter Cavardossi in the church who is painting there a portrait of St. Magdalene. The painter shows him the way to his villa where he has a secret hiding place. Tosca enters the stage and the look alike of Magdalene on the painting with marquise Attavanti is producing jealousy. The escape of Angelotti is discovered and the chief of roman police and his policemen discover in the church fan belonging to marquise Attavanti. Tosca returns to see Cavardossi and the fan create a jealousy in her again. Cavardossi is accused in helping in the escape of the prisoner. Scarpia like to get confession from Tosca, but really he wants her for himself.

SECOND PART

Scarpia is expecting his spies in the palace Farnese who didn't find the escaped prisoner yet. However they did jail the painter accused in helping the escaper. Cavardossi denies any involvement and curses Tosca to silence. They torture him and Scarpia doesn't have too much luck with winning Tosca’s friendship. Tosca can’t bear the screams of tortured Cavardossi and she tell’s them of the secret hiding place. Cavardossi curses her. Spoletta, Scarpia's agent is bringing the news of Napoleon's victory by Mareng and Scarpia decides to sentence Cavardossi to death. He promises Tosca that he will free him for her love. She agrees under condition that he gives a letter for a free passage for her and Cavardossi to Rome. When after all Scarpia wants to hug and kiss her, she kills him with a knife and escapes from the palace.

THIRD PART

Daybreak in Rome. Cavardossi is writing last good bye letter at the Castle di San Angello. Tosca came to tell him of his imminent execution, just for show and that she has a letter of free passage to Rome from Scarpia for him. Both are dreaming of future happiness. The preparations for execution are finished and Cavardossi is executed for real and dies falling down. Tosca realizes Scarpias lie and jumps from the castle to the Tiberius River.

GO BACK TO SLOVAK NATIONAL THEATER

Published in the Slovak Heritage Live newsletter Volume 5, No. 3, Fall 1997
Copyright © Vladimir Linder 1997 
3804 Yale Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5C 1P6
The above article and photographs may not be copied, reproduced, republished, or redistributed by any means including electronic, without the express written permission of Vladimir Linder. All rights reserved.