Perhaps one of the most well known operas worldwide, the Canadian Opera Company’s production of Tosca will not disappoint.
Puccini’s tale of one woman’s struggles through love, jealousy, treachery and death unfolds on stage in heartbreaking detail. No shrinking violet, Floria Tosca (sung on opening day by Adrianne Pieczonka) is the epitome of a strong woman who stands up for herself and refuses to allow anyone to make her a pawn in a game.
This production unfolds in three acts with two intermissions (to change sets) and for the most part is very well done. The staging and lighting by Kevin Knight and David Martin Jacques respectively, were exactly what the performance needed. They were not ostentatious which allowed for the audience to fully absorb the performances of the principals.
Perhaps therein lies the minor problem for the production. The principals were very good, but they did not yet seem to have fully embraced or embodied their characters. We couldn’t always feel the torments that we should have. Tosca’s lover, the artist Mario Cavaradossi (tenor Carlo Ventre) and the evil Chief of Police, Baron Scarpia (baritone Mark Delavan) sung their pieces well, but they never seemed to reach their full potential.
Pieczonka’s rendition of Vissi d’arte did have the audience saluting her with many a well deserved “bravo” as did Ventre in his performance just prior to his execution. There was a strong supporting cast—the enjoyable Sacristan, bass-baritone Peter Strummer was a crowd favourite, and Christian Van Horn as the hunted Angelotti with tenor David Cangelosi as Scarpia’s henchman Spoletta, performed their roles with precision. The orchestra under the direction of Conductor Paolo Carignani were absolutely spot-on with each note and were such a pleasure to watch in action.
Although not a perfect 5/5, the COC’s production of Tosca still deserves its fair praise because overall, this was an enjoyable piece of work that delighted the audience. It is a wonderful introduction to opera for those new to the scene and fun for those of us who have been around the block a little more.
Tosca is on stage through February 25.
For tickets or more information please visit:
http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/1112Season/Tosca.aspx
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