Thrilling opera, ‘Tosca,’ comes to the big screen in Whitefish

A roller coaster story of love, lust, jealousy, murder and political intrigue, the opera "Tosca" comes to Whitefish Nov. 23 as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD program. 

Sung in Italian with subtitles, Giacomo Puccini’s thrilling opera shows how the lengths a person will go to save the one they love.   

In Act I, in the year 1800, Rome is ruled by fear as republicanism has been replaced by royalism. Scarpia, a royalist general of the secret police, continuously commits many republicans to prison. One of the political prisoners, Cesare Angelotti, succeeds in breaking out of prison and rushes into the church of Sant' Andrea della Valle. In the church, he meets up with another republican, his friend and painter Mario Cavaradossi. While Cavaradossi harbors Angelotti in his secret hideout, Cavaradossi’s lover, the famous opera singer Floria Tosca, interrupts their planning. Prone to jealousy, Tosca suspects Cavaradossi of being unfaithful until he manages to calm her, arranging to meet later that evening. Cavaradossi and Angelotti flee just before the arrival of Scarpia, who has discovered evidence that Angelotti was hiding in the church and suspects Cavaradossi as his accomplice. When Tosca returns, Scarpia uses the evidence to feed her jealousy and convinces her that Cavaradossi has fled with another woman. She leaves to find Cavaradossi and confront him, while Scarpia exults that he now has Tosca in his power.   

In Act II, Scarpia receives word that his men can’t find Angelotti, but have arrested Cavaradossi who is refusing to give Angelotti’s whereabouts. As Tosca enters, Cavaradossi is taken to be interrogated while Scarpia tries to extract information from her. When Cavaradossi cries out in pain as he is tortured, Tosca reveals where Angelotti is hidden. Tosca pleads for her lover’s life, but Scarpia answers that only by giving herself to him can she save Cavaradossi. She agrees and Scarpia arranges for the mock execution of Cavaradossi. Thinking that he will now have her, Scarpia goes to touch Tosca, only to be stabbed to death by her with a knife from the table.   

Finally, in Act III, Cavaradossi awaits execution. As he writes a final note to Tosca, she hurriedly enters and explains that she has killed Scarpia. She tells Cavaradossi about the mock execution and the two sing of their future life together. Tragically, the firing squad carry out their orders to shoot Cavaradossi. After they leave, Tosca approaches his body but realizes that he is dead. When the men arrive to arrest her for Scarpia’s murder, Tosca leaps from the parapet crying out that she will meet Scarpia in God’s presence.   

Extraordinary soprano Lise Davidsen stars as the volatile diva Floria Tosca for her first time at the Met. David McVicar’s thrilling production also features tenor Freddie De Tommaso in his eagerly anticipated company debut as Tosca’s revolutionary lover, Cavaradossi, and powerhouse baritone Quinn Kelsey as the sadistic chief of police Scarpia. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the electrifying score. The Live in HD experience offers exclusive behind-the-scenes content and cast interviews.   

Presented by the Whitefish Theatre Company in collaboration with the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, the opera starts at 11 a.m. with a runtime of about 3 hours and 30 minutes, including two 30-minute intermissions. 

Tickets will be sold at the door at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, 127 Spokane Ave. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, paid by cash or check only.   

Food and beverage will be available for purchase during the performance.  

For more information visit www.whitefishtheatreco.org or call 862-5371.