Tosca

Synopsis

It is the eve of the Battle of Marengo. Napoleon's army has caused chaos and disarray throughout all Italy. Against this background of political turmoil stands Floria Tosca, Rome's famous and most beautiful opera singer. To save her lover, Cavaradossi, she must sacrifice her virtue to the evil Baron Scarpia. Can the power of love and honour ever prevail against the forces of corruption and betrayal? Tosca is a moving and passionate exploration of personal freedom, the cost of ideals and the choices forced on us by love.

Our Review:

3 March 2013

How do you like your Tosca? If it's the all-star showcase experience you're after look elsewhere, for no glass-shattering big beasts are gracing this latest incarnation of Jonathan Kent's handsome Royal Opera production. As revived (quite superbly) by Andrew Sinclair, this presentation of Puccini's operatic thriller catches fire through its drama, not its decibels, and it's the sheer damned theatricality of the night that sears the senses.

When the central trio is as evenly matched as it is here the battle is already half-won. In recent years Amanda Echalaz has cornered the market as London’s go-to Tosca, scoring a triple header of personal triumphs at Opera Holland Park and English National Opera as well as previously at this address when she deputised for an indisposed Angela Gheorghiu. This time the South-African-born soprano appears as the doomed diva in her own right and she inhabits the role like a second skin. Tosca’s brattish exchanges with Ca...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

John S. - 4 March 2013:

I found the evening a great disappointment. Amanda Echalaz's interpretation was at times that of a sulky teenager with some very exaggerated movements. In the second and third acts she suffered from the daftest costume possible. She was unable to make any move without having to hoist her dress up each time she had to turn - it became comical. This visual absurdity made it impossible for me to'suspend my disbelief'. The sets were striking and the voices were of a good standard. Miss Echalaz's "Vissi d'Arte was one of her best moments, as she stood still!...

Read more and add your own review