Lyric Opera 2021-2022 Issue 6 Tosca 2

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 22 Act two: Baron Scarpia’s apartment in the Palazzo Farnese Scarpia relishes his plan to execute the traitors and seduce Tosca. When Cavaradossi is brought for questioning, the painter denies any knowledge of Angelotti’s location. At Scarpia’s request, Tosca arrives from the victory celebrations. Cavaradossi is then taken to an adjoining room and tortured. His agonized cries force Tosca to divulge Angelotti’s hiding place – the well in the garden of Cavaradossi’s villa. The tortures cease; Tosca and Cavaradossi are briefly reunited before Scarpia orders Spoletta to Angelotti’s hiding place. As Cavaradossi denounces Tosca for her betrayal, news arrives that Napoleon has actually defeated the Austrians at Marengo. Cavaradossi predicts greater and greater victory for the Republicans, and Scarpia orders him taken away for execution. When Tosca pleads for mercy, Scarpia makes his price clear: she can buy Cavaradossi’s life by giving herself to Scarpia (Aria: Già mi dicon venal ). After wondering how God can choose to punish her this way (Aria: Vissi d’arte ), she reluctantly agrees. Since Scarpia has ordered Cavaradossi’s death, a mock execution must be arranged, and he seems to give this order to Spoletta. Tosca makes one further request: a warrant of safe passage so that she and Cavaradossi can leave the country. This done, Scarpia advances to embrace her, and she stabs him to death. INTERMISSION Act three: The roof of the Castel Sant’Angelo The distant song of a passing young shepherd and church bells tolling indicate the approaching dawn. Cavaradossi is brought into the castle yard to prepare for his death, and his thoughts turn to Tosca. He is attempting to write a final letter to her (Aria: E lucevan le stelle ) when she appears. She shows him the warrant of safe passage, explains the mock execution, and describes how she killed Scarpia. Tosca and Cavaradossi dream of their future happiness together (Duet: Amaro sol per te m’era morire ). As the soldiers assemble for the execution, Tosca instructs Cavaradossi to feign his death and remain motionless until she can confirm it is safe to leave. After the soldiers depart, she discovers she has been betrayed: Cavaradossi is dead. Spoletta and his men attempt to arrest Tosca for Scarpia’s murder, but she is too quick for them. Vowing to confront Scarpia before God, she takes her own life. — John Caird Reprinted courtesy of Houston Grand Opera. Synopsis continued