gThursday 17 August at 21.20 Rai 3 broadcast Tuscanyopera by Giacomo Puccini. It is the version presented at the Verona Arena last July, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Summer Festival, which will be broadcast on TV for the first time.
Tuscany: Luca Zingaretti presents the work
The setting up of Tuscany and of Hugo DeAna, director, scenographer, costume designer, Argentine light designer. The sumptuous period costumes are flanked by classic furnishings and impressive sets that adhere to the spirit of the opera: the three environments of the libretto will alternate on stage, as if they were different sets.
The show is introduced by Luca Zingaretti. Protagonists, in the role of Floria Tosca And Mario Cavaradossi there are respectively Aleksandra Kurzak And Robert Alagna, art and life companions. Next to them the baritone Luke Salsiwho made the Baron Scarpia one of his most apt characters. The Orchestra and Chorus of the Arena Foundation are directed by Francesco Ivan Ciampa.
Tuscany: the plot
Tosca was written in 1889, 123 years ago. Giacomo Puccini saw the theatrical version in Milan, recited by Sarah Bernhardt, one of the greatest Italian actresses of the 19th century. Among Puccini’s works, it is the most current. It takes place in one day in three environments: the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle, Palazzo Farnese and Castel Sant’Angelo.
La Tosca in the staging at the Verona Arena (credit: Rai Press Office)
We are in the papal Rome of the 1800s, contested by the Bonapartist revolutionaries, controlled by the police regime of the ruthless Baron Scarpia and looked at with detachment from the statue of the Archangel Michael. Angelotti,, consul of the former Roman Republic, has fled from Castel Sant’Angelo and takes refuge in the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle. He will wear the clothes of the Marchesa Attavanti, who was portrayed by the painter Cavaradossi. While Angelotti and Cavaradossi are talking, Tosca arrives, madly in love with the painter, who recognizes the Marquise’s features in the Magdalene painting and makes a scene of jealousy at Mario.
Tosca exits, the police chief arrives Scarpia, who is looking for Angelotti and strongly suspects Mario. To find Angelotti, the ruthless Scarpia tries to arouse Tosca’s jealousy. Police he arrests Cavaradossi and tortures him to reveal Cavaradossi’s hiding place. Tosca, disturbed by the man’s screams, reveals Angelotti’s hiding place. Mario chases her away, indignant at her, and Scarpia arrests him. Desperate Tosca offers herself to Scarpia begging him to free the painter. Scarpia makes Tosca believe that the shooting of her beloved will be simulated and the rifles loaded with blanks. But the woman attacks and stabs him.
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