I loved so many things about Tosca; the storyline, music and staging of the opera worked together magically to create an amazing production.  And it’s definitely going on my list of favorite tragedies.

 

This night out to the opera started with dinner at Café Fiorello, across Broadway from Lincoln Center.  I'm a huge foodie, so pre-theater dinner is usually a must when attending shows.  Fortunately, my cousin offered me dinner at this (relatively expensive) restaurant in exchange for taking him to the performance. 

 

I read a synopsis of Tosca and familiarized myself with the plot before the performance, and definitely thought it was intriguing.  Seeing it live, and set to Puccini's music, however, was so much more fulfilling.  On the other hand, I felt that some of the acting was not as convincing as it could have been.  Still, the simple yet effective sets were enough to convey the intense emotion of each of the characters.

 

The second act was, by far, my favorite of the three.  A long red stripe across the backdrop and along the floor says so much for Tosca and Scarpia.  The end of Act II, with Tosca against the red background, saying, "And before him all of Rome trembled," was so emotionally compelling and truly brought out the feminist in me.

 

Puccini's work is definitely the overall highlight for me.  The orchestrations aptly set the mood for what was going on onstage.  I love when music is that powerful, and Puccini’s ability to create powerful music was extraordinary.  The progression from major chords expressing Tosca's joy to minor ones showing her grief in Act III is a phenomenal example of such ability.  Unsurprisingly, he has become my one of my favorite composers!  I'm sure that after seeing Madama Butterfly, I'll be a Puccini fanatic.