Tosca

Giacomo Puccini

The 2019-2020 season opened with the diva of the 21st century, Anna Netrebko, in Tosca, one of Puccini’s most “cinematic” operas and often described as a “thriller”. Riccardo Chailly’s proposed for this Tosca a critical version that included a few lines that Puccini had prepared for the world premiere of the opera in 1900 but were left out at the time. The production, directed by Davide Livermore in cooperation with set designer Giò Forma chose a traditional setting, and with the help of rotating parts of the stage, which could also be elevated to show the action taking place on two different levels, was able to create a wider space that could contain the side naves of the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle with the Attavanti chapel and the central altar in act one or the torture room below Scarpia’s office in act one. In the title role, soprano Anna Netrebko, now at her third opening in five seasons, was a magnificent Tosca. Her performance literally brought down the house. At her side, tenor Francesco Meli lent his ringing voice to Cavaradossi. Luca Salsi played a compelling Scarpia, evil minded and sneaky at the right point. A real luxury cast was bass-baritone Alfonso Antoniozzi in the role of the sacristan.