The Metropolitan Opera Opens With Puccini`s Tosca Tonight!

The Metropolitan Opera opens its fall season tonight with Tosca, Giacomo Puccini`s ever popular, action-packed opera that takes place in Rome, 1800. This production of Tosca is directed by Luke Bondy and features the Finnish soprano, Karita Mattila, in the leading role of the jealous and passionate singer, Floria Tosca. This same production will play at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich for its June summer festival.

From what I have read, Luke Bondy`s production is characterized by prudence and austerity. It seems as if the Bavarian State Opera prefers this approach over a more decorative one, such as the rather ornate Franco Zeffirelli`s Tosca of 1985. Act two opens with Scarpia dining in his study at the Palazzo Farnese. I walked past this Renaissance palace in October of 2000, so I have included a photo for your enjoyment.

I am able to hear these Metropolitan Operas on my local classical music station (89.5 KMFA) on Saturdays, starting at noon…maybe you can hear it too *(somewhere?)…that Karita Mattila can sing like a skylark in a phone booth…??? *(source-NY Times-Arts & Leisures-Sunday, 9/20/09-Cut the Fluff. What Makes Tosca Tick? by Matthew Gurewitsch)

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