Tosca (2009) – The Metropolitan Opera

[MSFixR]

Tosca (2009) – The Metropolitan Opera, NYC, October 10, 2009.

A new production by Luc Bondy, the first new production of this opera in 28 years, has caused a minor stir among opera goers. Some of the notable alterations from the previous and traditional production were the austere, non-religious look of the church in the first act, Tosca refraining from kneeling when she sings “Vissi d’arte” in act 2 although she does fall to her knees at the end of the aria (perhaps a change in the production due to criticism) and the lack of candles to be placed at the head of the murdered Baron Scarpia. The entire production was dimly lit, I presume to underscore the tragic nature of the opera. The female nudity at the beginning of act three certainly reinforced the diabolical nature of Scarpia.

In spite of these short comings, this opera seems to have been enthusiastically received by both the audience at the Met and the local audience. Karita Mattila sang the title role, Marcelo Alverez the role of the painter Cavaradossi, George Gagnidza the role of the evil Baron Scarpia and Paul Plishka the role of the sacristan. The conductor was Joseph Colaneri. Set design was by Richard Pedussi. Costume design was by Milena Canonero who has won three Oscars for costume design (Marie Antoinette (2007), Chariots of Fire (1981), and Barry Lyndon (1975) and has been won or been nominated for awards 25 other times.)

The international nature of opera is illustrated in this cast. Mattila is Finnish, Alverez is from Venezuela, Gagnidza is from Georgia, and Plishka is American. During the first intermission, Peter Gelb, general manager of the Met, reported that this satellite broadcast was being sent to 1,000 venues in 42 countries and included subtitles in 4 languages. If the estimated 150 attendance at the local theater I attended was average, total world-wide attendance would have been 150,000!

Next up will be Giussepe Verdi’s Aida on Saturday, October 24.

References: Tosca, Aida