The Metropolitan Opera unveiled a new staging of Puccini’s Tosca December 31, raising the curtain on a production that faced a series of high-profile tribulations and casting changes leading to its debut.
David McVicar’s production replaces the Met’s previous repertory offering (from Luc Bondy) with a more realistic aesthetic aimed to capture the opulence of 1800 Rome.
Read: HOW THE MET'S TOSCA REPLICATES THE GRANDEUR OF ROME
Taking center stage are soprano Sonya Yoncheva and tenor Vittorio Grigolo, both making their role debuts as the title opera diva and her artist lover Cavaradossi. Joining them is Željko Lučić as Scarpia. All three have stepped into the production, filling in for the initially announced Kristine Opolais, Jonas Kaufmann, and Bryn Terfel.
Read reviews for the new production below.
New York Classical Review (Eric C. Simpson)
The New York Times (Anthony Tommasini)
At the podium for the first string of productions is conductor Emmanuel Villaume, who boarded the production just weeks prior to its opening in light of the suspension of Music Director Emeritus James Levine amid sexual assault allegations.
Tosca will run on select dates through January 27, then return in April with Anna Netrebko and Marcelo Álvarez as Tosca and Cavaradossi.
The production features sets and costumes by John Macfarlane and lighting design by David Finn.
