Tune into WRTI on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. to hear the China National Center for the Performing Arts’ 2023 production of Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca. Chen Nan of ChinaDaily described this production of Puccini’s canonical tragedy as “a joint effort between Italian and Chinese performers.” Italian soprano Monica Zanettin takes on the eponymous role of Tosca, a character she remarks is “passionate, devoted, feisty and jealous.” She continues, “Any woman can see herself in the role. And every soprano can bring a part or parts of herself to the role.” WRTI will broadcast this production as a part of the WFMT Opera Series.
Tosca, set in Rome, 1800, during the Napoleonic Wars, concerns Cesare Angelotti, a political prisoner who has escaped and is hiding out in a nearby church. When the authorities are alerted of Angelotti’s escape, the painter Mario Cavaradossi offers Angelotti refuge in his villa. Scarpa, chief of Rome’s secret police, convinces Tosca, Cavaradossi’s lover, that the painter has been unfaithful. Tosca vows vengeance, and is tailed by the secret police on her way to the villa, leading the secret police right to Cavaradossi and Angelotti. When Cavaradossi is set for execution, Scarpa offers Tosca an ultimatum: if she offers herself to him, he will see that Cavaradossi survives.
This production features soprano Monica Zanettin as the titular Tosca; tenor Han Peng as the painter, and Tosca’s lover, Cavaradossi; and baritone Ambrogio Maestri as Scarpia, head of the secret police. Bass Guan Zhijin is Cesare Angelotti, bass Wang Meng is Sargestano, tenor Liu Naiqi is Spoletta, bass Chen lei is Sciarrone, and soprano Zhang Wenqin is Pastore. Xu Zhong conducts the NCPA Orchestra & Chorus.
Cast:
Monica Zanettin as Tosca
Han Peng as Cavaradossi
Ambrogio Maestri as Scarpia
Guan Zhijing as Cesare Angelotti / Carceriere
Wang Meng as Sargestano
Liu Naiqi as Spoletta
Chen Lei as Sciarrone
Zhang Wenqin as Pastore
Xu Zhong conducts the NCPA Orchestra & Chorus.