Tosca – Characters & Synopsis

On September 24 and 26, the Oxford International Opera will be performing their debut, brand-new, fully staged production of Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca. Whether you’ve got your tickets already and need to get up to speed, or perhaps need a little more convincing that this political thriller is for you, read on…

First things first, let’s set the scene. We are in Rome, Italy, in June of 1800. Europe is steeped in the Napoleonic Wars, and the short-lived Roman Republic has collapsed, leaving political unrest.

Next, our characters. Baron Scarpia (Sir Bryn Terfel) is Rome’s chief of police, using his power to manipulate others and ruthlessly pursue political enemies. Scarpia develops a predatory obsession with our leading lady, Floria Tosca (Carmen Giannattasio). She is a celebrated opera diva and fiercely jealous in love. Tosca does not return Scarpia’s interest; however, she is in love with the painter Mario Cavaradossi (Saimir Pirgu). Finally, a catalyst, Cesare Angelotti (Jamie Woollard), an escaped political prisoner and former Consul of the Roman Republic.

Act I

The first act takes place inside the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle.

Angelotti, on the run, enters the church to hide in the private family chapel. His sister, the Marchesa Attavanti, leaves a key to said chapel at the feet of the statue of Mary. Cavaradossi, here to work on a painting, soon discovers the fugitive, and, as a republican sympathiser, offers his service. Floria Tosca arrives; Angelotti goes to hide once again.

The ever-jealous Tosca, though madly in love with Cavaradossi, sees the Marchesa’s resemblance in his portrait of Mary Magdalene, and gets jealous of her presence in the painting. The lovers soon reconcile, and Tosca leaves. With her gone, Angelotti and Cavaradossi plan the former’s best chance of safety and leave for the latter’s villa.

Enter Baron Scarpia, searching for the escaped prisoner. He soon realises Cavaradossi is helping Angelotti and devises a plan. Tosca returns, in search of her lover, and Scarpia plays to her jealous nature, suggesting Cavaradossi’s unfaithfulness by drawing attention to a fan owned by the Marchesa left in the church. As she leaves in anger to confront Cavaradossi, Scarpia’s men follow her, looking to arrest the painter and the prisoner he is harbouring.

As a Te Deum is sung, Scarpia, in a monologue, lays out his lust for Tosca and plans to destroy Cavaradossi.

Act II

The second act takes place in Scarpia’s apartment in the Palazzo Farnese.

Angelotti is still at large, but Cavaradossi is taken into custody. After her performance, Tosca arrives at Scarpia’s request. Cavaradossi is to be tortured until he confesses. Tosca, unable to stand her lover’s pained cries, tells Scarpia where Angelotti is hidden.

News arrives of a Napoleon victory at the Battle of Marengo. Cavaradossi cheers the defeat of his political enemies, prompting Scarpia to order his execution. Cavaradossi is taken away and Tosca is devastated.

Scarpia proposes a horrific bargain to Tosca. If she wants her lover’s life spared, she must yield to his romantic advances. Though she repeatedly rejects him, eventually, she gives in. Scarpia agrees to stage a mock execution. However, once the order is given, Tosca stabs and kills Baron Scarpia.

Act III

The final act takes place in the upper parts of the Castel Sant’Angelo (the state prison).

Cavaradossi awaits his fate. Tosca arrives and explains that all is not lost; she has murdered Scarpia and the firing squad has been ordered to use blanks.

The gunmen arrive, take the shot, and leave. Cavaradossi, however, does not wake. Tosca has been deceived, and the execution was real after all. After discovering Scarpia’s body, guards rush to find Tosca, realising she is his killer. Atop the Castel Sant’Angelo, Tosca, our final protagonist with no chance of escape, leaps from the parapet to her death.

Find tickets to the Oxford International Opera’s performance of Tosca here

Join the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra alongside international opera stars for the brand-new, fully-staged production of Oxford International Opera, where we will bring Puccini’s Tosca to the stage of the New Theatre in Oxford. Featuring internationally renowned opera singers such as Sir Bryn Terfel, Carmen Giannattasio and Saimir Pirgu, the Oxford Philharmonic will be the fourth protagonist and extra voice on the stage.

The Principal Donor of this production is the Laidlaw Opera Trust.