One of the most beloved of operas, Puccini’s Tosca is the story of a deadly triangle of love, jealousy and deceit played out by the three main characters, opera singer Floria Tosca, the painter Mario Cavaradossi, who loves her, and Rome’s chief of police, Baron Scarpia, who desires Tosca for himself.

Synopsis:

Setting: Rome, June 1800; Napoleon Bonaparte and his forces are advancing upon the city.

Act I – The church of Sant’ Andrea della Valle

Cesare Angelotti, advocate of Napoleon, has escaped from prison and takes refuge in the Attavanti Chapel of the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle. An old Sacristan shuffles in, muttering to himself, and begins tidying up. The painter Mario Cavaradossi enters to work on his portrait of Mary Magdalene. He compares the blonde, blue-eyed likeness of his model, the Marchesa Attavanti, sister of Angelotti, with the raven-haired beauty of his lover, the opera singer Floria Tosca. The Sacristan, grumbling his disapproval, leaves.

Angelotti emerges from hiding and is recognized by Cavaradossi, his friend and political ally, who offers him food and hurries him back into hiding when Tosca’s voice is heard calling from outside. Jealous by nature, Tosca is immediately suspicious and questions Cavaradossi. Her jealousy is further fueled when she recognizes the Marchesa in the painting. Cavaradossi reassures her of his love and Tosca leaves, placated for the moment. Cavaradossi summons Angelotti from hiding and offers him shelter in his villa. At that moment, a canon shot is heard, signaling that the prisoner’s escape has been discovered. Cavaradossi and Angelotti hastily depart.

The Sacristan returns with the choirboys to prepare for a service in celebration of Napoleon’s supposed defeat. The rejoicing is overshadowed by the arrival of the feared chief of police, Baron Scarpia, who orders all to leave as he investigates Angelotti’s escape. Tosca returns and is annoyed at Cavaradossi’s absence. Scarpia, who desires her for himself, plays upon her jealousy by suggesting there is a liaison between the Marchesa and Cavaradossi. Believing her lover unfaithful, Tosca angrily leaves to confront him at his villa and is followed by Scarpia’s men. As the service begins, Scarpia vows to have the diva in his power.

Act II – The Farnese Palace

Scarpia is dining alone as he awaits the return of his henchmen. Spoletta arrives to report that no trace of Angelotti was found but that Cavaradossi has been arrested and brought in for questioning. Tosca is summoned and Cavaradossi is brought in. He warns Tosca to say nothing and is taken away to be tortured. Unable to bear her lover’s anguished cries, Tosca relents and reveals Angelotti’s hiding place. Cavaradossi is dragged in and denounces Tosca for her betrayal, but his anger turns to joy when Sciarrone enters to announce that Bonaparte has been victorious. Cavaradossi cries out in jubilation and is dragged back to prison to await execution.

As he resumes his dinner, Scarpia suggests that Tosca surrender herself to him in exchange for her lover’s life. As he embraces her, Spoletta interrupts to announce that Angelotti has killed himself rather than be captured. When Spoletta leaves, Scarpia again insists and Tosca reluctantly accepts his proposition. Scarpia pretends to order a mock execution for the prisoner. Tosca demands further assurance with a note of safe passage. As Scarpia writes the note, Tosca sees a sharp dinner knife on the table, picks it up and conceals it. When Scarpia eagerly approaches to embrace her, she stabs him to death. She snatches up the safe conduct pass and quickly slips away.

Act III – The roof of the Castel Sant’Angelo

The voice of a shepherd boy is heard as dawn breaks. Cavaradossi is writing a farewell note to Tosca and is overcome with despair. Tosca suddenly appears, excitedly showing him the safe conduct pass and explaining what has happened. She details the plans for his mock execution and instructs him to lie still until she gives the signal. She conceals herself as the executioners arrive. When they are gone, Tosca rushes to Cavaradossi, imploring him to get up. At his failure to respond, she cries out in horror, realizing the full extent of Scarpia’s treachery. His murder has been discovered and Scarpia’s men arrive to arrest Tosca. She climbs to the top of the parapet, crying out to Scarpia that they will meet before God, and hurls herself to her death.