Tosca in Three Acts Giacomo Puccini Italian/English softcover G. Schirmer

Tosca in Three Acts Giacomo Puccini Italian/English softcover G. Schirmer Opera Libretto MCMLVIFrom Opera North U.K.:"Tosca is a political thriller, set in Rome in June 1800 (during the Napoleonic wars and a time of great political unrest). The action takes place over less than 24 hours, making it an intense experience!The plot centres around three main characters – Rome’s diva Floria Tosca, her lover Mario Cavaradossi (a painter and republican) and the corrupt Chief of Police, Baron Scarpia. Scarpia has long lusted after Tosca, and when he suspects Cavaradossi of assisting an escaped political prisoner, seizes the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. He will manipulate Tosca into revealing the prisoner’s hiding place and Cavaradossi’s involvement, and have her for himself.When Cavaradossi is captured, Scarpia offers Tosca a horrific bargain – she must give herself to Scarpia, or her lover is killed… what will she choose, and who will survive?"Who are the characters?Floria Tosca – Rome’s star opera singer (soprano)Mario Cavaradossi – a painter, Tosca’s lover (tenor)Baron Scarpia – Chief of Police (baritone)Cesare Angelotti – an escaped political prisoner (bass)Spoletta – police agent (tenor)Sciarrone – police agent (bass)A Sacristan – looks after the church (bass)Who was the composer?Tosca was written by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924), with a libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, who both also worked on La bohème and Madama Butterfly. The composition process was quite convoluted, spanning 11 years in total. (Opera North)Known as one of the finest Italian composers, Puccini‘s operas have stood the test of time, with some of his compositions being regarded as some of the best in the genre, including Madam Butterfly, Tosca and La bohème. Puccini was a leading exponent of the ‘verismo’ styleOriginating from the Italian literary movement of the same name from circa 1875-early 1900s, verismo translates to ‘realism’.This post-Romantic movement portraying the world in greater realism meant subject matters that would not have previously thought of as being fit for literature were now written about, including the lives of the poor.Also known as naturalism, this genre does away with epic quests and mythological beasts, centring instead on ‘human’ drama – illness, lost loves and marital problems . . . (English National Opera)Details:Pages : 41 x 2Language : Italian and EnglishBinding : SoftcoverPublisher : G. SchirmerPublished : MCMLVI ■