Tosca

Cavaradossi is a free-thinking artist, viewed as an opponent of the political regime in Rome. Angelotti, a political prisoner, has escaped from jail and is hiding in a church. Cavaradossi returns to work on an installation centred around the Virgin Mary. He celebrates artistic freedom, while the sacristan, Il Sagrestano, regards the critical-minded artist with deep suspicion.

As Angelotti dares to emerge from his hiding place, Cavaradossi recognises his revolutionary friend and offers to help him. Suddenly, Tosca arrives. She is instantly consumed by jealousy over the woman depicted as the Virgin Mary, but Cavaradossi reassures her and promises to meet her later that evening. Once she has left, he offers Angelotti refuge in his villa and escorts him there.

Il Sagrestano announces that the reactionaries have triumphed over the republicans, and an official celebration is to follow. While searching for the fugitive Angelotti, Scarpia uncovers several clues. When Tosca returns, Scarpia manipulates her jealousy to track down the escapee. Drunk on his own power, Scarpia plots to possess Tosca and ensure Cavaradossi’s execution, all while the establishment celebrates.

Scarpia’s agents, Spoletta and Sciarrone, fail to find Angelotti but arrest Cavaradossi. During the interrogation that night, he denies everything. Tosca, having sung for the queen, arrives and refuses to answer Scarpia’s questions. But when her lover is tortured and she can no longer bear his screams, she reveals Angelotti’s hiding place.

Sciarrone provokes Cavaradossi with false news of a republican victory over the royalists. The artist rejoices, and Scarpia orders his execution. He then makes Tosca understand that if she gives herself to him, she can save her beloved. But as he demands his reward, Tosca stabs him.

At dawn, Cavaradossi is led away to be executed. Chained and abused, he is overwhelmed by memories of Tosca. When she arrives, she tries to calm him: the execution is merely a performance, and Scarpia’s safe-conduct will allow them to escape. Spoletta and Sciarrone humiliate the artist brutally. Tosca and Cavaradossi are utterly broken, yet must carry on, while the “Scarpia system” is glorified by its supporters.