Tosca Back at the Rheinoper: A dramatic masterpiece celebrates anniversary!

Tosca Back at the Rheinoper: A dramatic masterpiece celebrates anniversary!

On January 16, 2025, the Rheinoper celebrated the resumption of Giacomo Puccini's most important opera "Tosca". This premiere was special because it recognized the composer's 100th anniversary of death. The staging, which has been an integral part of the Rheinoper repertoire since 2002, is listed under the direction of Dietrich W. Hilsdorf. Péter Halász takes over the musical direction, while the role of Floria Tosca by Liana Aleksanyan and Ekaterina Sannikova is presented. Young Woo Kim gives his house debut in the role of painter Mario Cavaradossi, while Alexey Zelenkov will embody the figure of the police chief Scarpia in Düsseldorf from February 2025.

The action of "Tosca" takes place in 1800, at the time of the war between Napoleon and the Habsburgs in northern Italy. In the first scene of the opera, which takes place in the Sant’Andrea Della Valle church in Rome, the consul of the lost republic of Rome, Cesare Angelotti, flees from the dungeon and is looking for shelter. The jealousy of the title heroine, Floria Tosca, sparked when she recognizes the trains of Marchesa Attavanti in the painting of her beloved Cavaradossi. Scarpia, the chief of police, becomes aware of Angelotti and arrested Cavaradossi as a supposed accomplice. To save him, Tosca finally kills Scarpia.

Details for staging

The great staging uses an impressive stage design, which in particular can clearly represent the second act in the Roman church. Cavaradossi and Angelotti are here in Scarpia's violence, while in a neighboring palace a celebration takes place in honor of the victory over Bonaparte. Tosca, desperately about her lover's torment, is ready to reveal everything to save him, and finally sees itself forced to meet Scarpias.

The dramatic act of "Tosca" is in the last files, where the desperate attempts to save Toscas to save Cavaradossi, end in a tragic final scene. After killing Scarpia, Tosca believes that he can escape with Cavaradossi. However, she finds out that Scarpia thwarted her plans. The dramatic highlight is supported by the captivating musical expression Puccini, which was known for his ability to link human emotions in his music.

Puccini's heir and the importance of the opera

Giacomo Puccini, born on December 22, 1858 in Lucca, Italy, is considered one of the most important opera composers in Verismo. His works, including "La Bohème", "Madama Butterfly" and "Tosca", are characterized by intensive melodies and a deep emotional understanding. Puccini's style was groundbreaking: he combined gripping actions with innovative orchestral techniques and significantly influenced the development of the opera. His death on November 29, 1924 left a large heir that is still present at the most important opera houses in the world.

For the upcoming ideas at the Rheinoper, appointments are still planned in January and February 2025, as well as further performances in the Duisburg Theater. "Tosca" remains a timeless work that also captivates in the modern world with its subjects of love, fraud and greed for power and repeatedly captivates the audience.