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Puccini’s fifth opera, Tosca marks an important transition in Puccini’s work. His previous opera, La Bohème, considered by many to be his first masterpiece, is at the same time, the last of Puccini’s work portray the struggles and dreams of society’s lower classes. With Tosca, Puccini returns to the purest tragedy, focusing on the violent and tragic downfall of three historic figures. Tosca is a highly focused opera, concentrated around the complex and fully developed psychologies of its three main characters. Inspired by the riveting performance of Sarah Bernhardt in the play by Victorien Sardou, Puccini artfully crafted the jealousy, turmoil and despair of the entrancing Floria Tosca. After a period of tormented and stormy writing with his librettists, Puccini finalized his composition just days before the opera’s premiere on January 14, 1900 at Teatro Constanzi in Rome.

CAST: Barbara Haveman, Marc Laho, Ruggero Raimondi, Roger Joakim

DIRECTOR: Claire Servais

RUN TIME: 124 min