Lyric Opera 2021-2022 Issue 6 Tosca 2

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 20 Additional support is provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Production Circle. Lyric Opera of Chicago gratefully acknowledges the support of the NIB Foundation Italian Opera Endowed Chair and the Mary Patricia Gannon Puccini Endowed Chair. Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline,American Airlines. Additional Costumes Provided by: Seams Unlimited and Steppenwolf Costume Shop APPROXIMATE TIMINGS Act 1 50 minutes Intermission 25 minutes Act 2 45 minutes Intermission 20 minutes Act 3 30 minutes Total 2 hours, 50 minutes Italy has long been under the domination of the Hapsburg dynasty. Napoleon Bonaparte, however, has emerged as a threat to the status quo, and Rome is in chaos, without a clear ruler. Baron Scarpia, the chief of police, has become the highest authority. Loyal to the king and queen of Naples, Scarpia seeks to eliminate any remaining trace of Napoleon’s attempts to establish a secular Roman Republic. Act one: The Church of Sant’Andrea della Valle Cesare Angelotti, a Republican political prisoner, has just escaped from the Castel Sant’Angelo, where he had been placed by Scarpia. Angelotti’s sister, the Marchesa Attavanti, has hidden a disguise for him in the church, where the painter Mario Cavaradossi is working on a painting of Mary Magdalene with the begrudging help of the sacristan. Cavaradossi takes as his inspiration both the Marchesa, whom he has recently seen at prayer, and his beloved Floria Tosca, a prominent opera singer (Aria: Recondita armonia ). He recognizes Angelotti and promises to help him escape, but is surprised by a visit from Tosca. Angelotti hides while Cavaradossi attempts a quick conversation with her (Duet: Perchè chiuso? ). Tosca is instantly suspicious of Cavaradossi’s cautious behavior and jealous of the woman she sees represented in his painting. Cavaradossi assuages her fears and they make plans to spend the evening together. No sooner has Tosca gone than a cannon shot signals that Angelotti’s escape has been discovered. He and Cavaradossi depart immediately for Cavaradossi’s villa. The sacristan returns with news of Napoleon’s defeat by the Austrians. Arrangements have been made for an immediate celebration and a concert at the Palazzo Farnese, featuring Floria Tosca. Baron Scarpia, who has come in search of Angelotti, interrupts the preparation. Scarpia and his spies find an empty basket of food and a woman’s fan bearing the Attavanti family crest. When Tosca returns to see Cavaradossi, her jealousy is again aroused by his absence. Scarpia preys on her suspicions by showing her the Marchesa’s fan. After she leaves, Scarpia orders his agent Spoletta to follow her. As the congregation assembles for the Te Deum, Scarpia plans to eliminate Cavaradossi and possess Tosca for himself. INTERMISSION PRODUCTION SPONSORS Frances Pietch Trust Julius Frankel Foundation Josef & Margot Lakonishok Mazza Foundation Synopsis TIME | June, 1800 PLACE | Rome