Tosca

March 12. 2022 - April 10. 2022

March 12. 2022 - April 10. 2022

New-to-Chicago Production Tosca

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A diva who has all of Rome at her feet. A woman who takes charge of her life and fights for what she wants. A heroine who is brave and loving, extravagantly emotional, yet utterly irresistible. Floria Tosca is all these things. She’s loved by Mario Cavaradossi, the revolutionary, and lusted after by Baron Scarpia, Rome’s vicious police chief. Puccini’s lushly grand-scale music illuminates these characters, and the entire opera bursts with a theatricality that makes Tosca a favorite of audiences everywhere.

  • Language: Sung in Italian with projected English texts
  • Running Time: Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes with 2 intermissions
  • Location: Lyric Opera House

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Videos

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"Vissi d'arte" with Michelle Bradley

In this exquisite Act Two aria from Puccini's Tosca, the glamorous titular diva (sung here by soprano Michelle Bradley in her role debut) contemplates her fate. Forced to make a terrible bargain in order to save her lover's life, Floria Tosca asks God why he has abandoned her in her hour of need.

"Te Deum" with Fabián Veloz, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Driven by lust and power, the villainous police chief lays his trap for Tosca and her revolutionary lover in this rousing Act One finale. As his henchmen leave the church in pursuit of their prey, Scarpia (sung here by Fabián Veloz in his Lyric debut) revels in his nefarious plot.

 

Michelle Bradley and Louisa Muller on Puccini heroines

In this excerpt from Mixing it Up, soprano Michelle Bradley and director Louisa Muller discuss one of Puccini's fiercest heroines: Floria Tosca. Caught in the midst of an impossible situation, Tosca refuses to be a victim. This spring, Ms. Bradley makes her role and Lyric debut as the daring diva. 

Russell Thomas performs "E lucevan le stelle" from Puccini's Tosca

In this Act Three aria from Puccini’s Tosca, Mario Cavaradossi (sung here by tenor Russell Thomas) awaits his execution, reflecting on a perfect evening spent under the stars with his true love.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Puccini's TOSCA

A diva who has all of Rome at her feet. A woman who takes charge of her life and fights for what she wants. A heroine who is brave and loving, extravagantly emotional, yet utterly irresistible. Floria Tosca is all these things. She’s loved by Mario Cavaradossi, the revolutionary, and lusted after by Baron Scarpia, Rome’s vicious police chief. Puccini’s lushly grand-scale music illuminates these characters, and the entire opera bursts with a theatricality that makes TOSCA a favorite of audiences everywhere.

Michelle Bradley and Louisa Muller on what makes TOSCA special

We are *here* for the girl-power! In this snippet from our latest episode of "Mixing it Up," soprano Michelle Bradley and director Louisa Muller discuss embracing tradition, channeling Maria Callas, and the talented women at the helm of Lyric's TOSCA.

Articles

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TOSCA: A Lyric photo history

Puccini's Tosca is one of the most dramatic and passionate works in the repertoire — no wonder it's been a Lyric favorite since the company's very first season in 1954. From Grace Bumbry and Renata Tebaldi to Tito Gobbi and Luciano Pavarotti, here's a look back at some of the iconic stars and productions that have graced Lyric's stage over the years.
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Making magic on the podium

While it’s still somewhat rare to see a woman on the podium, new faces and perspectives are increasingly emerging. Critically acclaimed conductor Eun Sun Kim, the recently appointed music director for San Francisco Opera, exemplifies that welcome change. Learn more about Kim and what makes her tick.
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Get to know: Puccini's Tosca

One of opera’s strongest, most independent, most adoring, and most desirable women — is the flamboyant diva Floria Tosca. Giacomo Puccini’s opera has attracted great sopranos for well over a century, because of its heroine, the thrilling music she sings, and her overpowering emotions.
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Spotlight on Louisa Muller

Louisa Muller is known for her “absorbing, provocative staging” (Opera News) and is breaking new ground as a young stage director. Recently named a finalist in the “Best Newcomer” category at the 2020 International Opera Awards, Muller’s work is respected and admired around the world. This season, we are elated to welcome her back to this new-to-Chicago production of Puccini’s beloved Tosca.
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by Daniela Costa

The making of Tosca

In this article, Italian opera professor Daniela Costa delves into Floria Tosca's role amongst Puccini heroines, and what it says about the composer's psyche and the time in which he was writing.
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Talking with Tosca

We sat down with Kentucky-born soprano, Michelle Bradley, to talk about making her Lyric and role debut, her take on Puccini's tempestuous diva, and the inspiring team behind this production of Tosca.
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Moving moments of the 2021/22 Season

Missing opera season? We are too. With two Lyric premieres — Florencia en el Amazonas and Fire Shut Up in My Bones — as well as exciting new productions and role debuts, there were countless memorable moments both onstage and off. In order to tide us over until the fall, here are a few of our favorite highlights from the 2021/22 Season.
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Meet the artists

* Lyric debut
** Ryan Opera Center alumnus
*** Ryan Opera Center Ensemble member

Tosca

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. & Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2021/22 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Tosca Commentary by Elinor Olin

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Learn more about Tosca with engaging articles, program notes, artist profiles, and more.

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Lyric’s presentation of Puccini’s Tosca is generously made possible by

Frances Pietch Trust

Julius Frankel Foundation

Josef & Margot Lakonishok

Mazza Foundation

Additional support is provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago's Production Circle.

Header: Todd Rosenberg