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131. LA TOSCA
Tragic Opera in Three Acts By Giacomo Puccini
Libretto By Illica and Giacosa (Adapted from Sardou s Tragedy)
First Produced Rome, January, 1900
Chief Characters Floria Tosca, Mario Cavaradossi, Scarpia, Cesar, Angelotti, Spoletta
THE scene is laid in Rome in 1800, at the time of the battle of Marengo. Cesar Angelotti, a
politica prisoner, has escaped and takes refuge in the Church of Saint Andrea Alla Valle, where he
surprises the painter, Cavaradossi, at work. Cavaradossi, recog nising in him the Consul of the late
Roman Republic and an old friend of his, arranges to convey him through a secret passage in an
adjoining chapel which leads out to his own villa garden, where he can hide in a dry well. Whilst
making these arrangements he is interrupted by his sweetheart, Tosca, a singer, who demands
admission; and thrusting Angelotti into the chapel, Cavaradossi admits the beautiful singer, who is
of a jealous disposition, and whose suspicions have been aroused by the closed door. He soothes
her ruffled feelings, however, and at length sends her away happy. Then, as he enters the chapel, a
cannon shot announces that the prisoners escape has become known, and, knowing that every
moments delay means danger, the painter decides to accompany the refugee himself. Angelotti by
this time has arrayed himself in some feminine garments left in the chapel by his sister for his
disguise, and the pair escape through the secret passage just as a crowd of citizens pour into the
church, headed by the wicked Scarpia, Chief of Police, by whose malice Angelotti had been
unjustly imprisoned, and who has now tracked him to this spot. The crowd are rejoicing in a
rumour that Napoleon has been defeated at Marengo; and with them comes Tosca, whose jealous
suspicions of her lover are stirred afresh by Scarpia showing her a ladys fan he has discovered in
the chapel. Scarpia has conceived a violent passion for Tosca, and determines to make her his
mistress; and as he suspects Cavaradossi of aiding the escaped Angelotti, he thinks to rid himself
of his rival by bringing him to execution for his present shielding of a State prisoner. He therefore
bids his chief spy and attendant, Spoletta, follow Tosca, believing that she will seek her lover.
This ruse is successful, and Cavaradossi is found and brought to a chamber in the Palace Farnese,
where Scarpia is expecting Tosca, who is to sing at the Queens festival that evening in honour of
the supposed victory.
When Cavaradossi is brought in he refuses to reveal his friends hiding-place, and manages to
whisper to Tosca to keep the secret also; but the cruel Scarpia orders him to be tortured in the
chamber beyond, whilst he himself makes his infamous proposals to Tosca. The singer scornfully
refuses to listen to his advances; but her anger is soon changed to grief and despair on hearing the
groans of her tortured lover in the room beyond. The vile Scarpia now offers to release her lover
from the torture if she will reveal the hiding-place of Angelotti, and at last Tosca, unable to bear
more, gasps out that the refugee is in the well in Cavaradossis garden. The tortured man is then
brought forth, but is full of grief on learning of Toscas forced betrayal of his friend; but the news
is now brought that Angelotti had, before her confession, been taken, and has killed himself, and
that the news of Napoleons defeat is false, and that he has gained a victory instead. The furious
Scarpia therefore gives orders for Cavaradossi to be instantly shot, but as he is led away Tosca, on
being left alone with the tyrant, passionately pleads for his life. Scarpia now offers to save her