Puccini's Tosca Returns to Seattle Opera with Classic Production and Vintage Sets
Seattle Opera is set to close its 2024/25 season with a bang, bringing back Giacomo Puccini's thrilling melodrama, Tosca. This classic production, returning to McCaw Hall for the first time since 2015, promises to be a visual and auditory feast, featuring an international cast and stunning vintage painted sets.
From May 3rd to 17th, audiences will be transported to Rome at the turn of the 19th century, thanks to the lavish scenery designed in the 1950s by the renowned Milanese scene shop Ercole Sormani. These intricate, hand-painted backdrops, with their special perspective and trompe-l’œil techniques, offer a glimpse into a bygone era of opera production. As General and Artistic Director James Robinson notes, these sets "harken back a bygone age" and create a "remarkable sense of depth."
The story of Tosca is a fiery tale of love, betrayal, and political intrigue. Floria Tosca, a celebrated opera diva, risks everything to save her beloved, Mario Cavaradossi, from the clutches of the sadistic Baron Scarpia. Seattle Opera has assembled an incredible international cast to bring this drama to life. Lianna Haroutounian and Vanessa Goikoetxea will share the role of Tosca, while Yonghoon Lee and Rame Lahaj will portray Cavaradossi. Željko Lučić and Craig Colclough will make their Seattle Opera debuts as Scarpia.
The production will be directed by Brenna Corner, with lighting design by Connie Yun, costume design by Andrew Marlay, and wigs, hair, and makeup design by Ashlee Naegle. Sound designer Robertson Witmer will enhance the experience with a soundscape of bells and cannons. Leonardo Sini will make his US debut as conductor, leading the Seattle Opera Chorus and Youth Chorus.
With tickets starting at just $35, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Performances will be held at McCaw Hall, and the run time is approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, including two intermissions. Whether you're a seasoned opera lover or a newcomer to the art form, Tosca promises to be an unforgettable experience.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.seattleopera.org/tosca. Don't miss your chance to witness this classic production with its beautiful vintage sets!
