Puccini - Tosca (the Canadian Opera) DVD

Cesare Angelotti an escaped political prisoner hides in the Attavanti chapel. Mario Cavaradossi enters to work on his portrait of Mart Magdalene - inspired by the Marchesa Attavanti (Angelotti's sister) whom he has seen but does not know.Angelotti ventures out and is recognised by his friend Mario who hurries him back into the chapel as the singer Floria Tosca is heard calling outside. Forever suspicious she jealously questions him then prays and reminds him of their rendezvous that evening. Suddenly recognising the Marchesa Attavanti in the painting she explodes with... renewed suspicion but he reassures her.When she has gone Mario summons Angelotti from the chapel; a cannon signals that the police have discovered his escape so the two flee to Mario's villa. Meanwhile the church fills with choirboys who are to sing in a Te Deum that day. Their excitement is silenced by the entrance of Baron Scarpia chief of the secret police in search of Angelotti.When Tosca comes back to her lover Scarpia shows her a fan with the Attavanti crest which he has just found. Thinking Mario faithless Tosca tearfully vows vengeance and leaves. Scarpia sends his men to follow her and schemes to get her in his power.The spy Spoletta arrives at Farnese Palace. Not having found Angelotti he brings in Mario who is interrogated while Tosca is heard singing at a Royal gala downstairs. She entered just as her lover is being taken to an adjoining room to be tortured.Unnerved by Scarpia's questioning and Mario's screams she reveals Angelotti's hiding place. Mario is carried in; realising that has happened he turns on Tosca. Mario is dragging to prison and Scarpia suggests that Tosca yield herself to him in exchange for the lover's life but she fights off his embraces. Spoletta interrupts: faced with capture Angelotti has killed himself.Tosca forced to give in or lose her lover agrees to Scarpia's proposition. The baron pretends to order a mock execution for the prisoner. after which he is to be freed. No sooner has Scarpia written a safe-conduct for the lovers than Tosca snatches a knife from the table and kills him. [show more]

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