Opera on 3 - Live from the Met - Puccini's Tosca

Torture and suicide; murder and execution: despite the grisly plot, Tosca has been one of the most popular of all operas ever since its 1900 premiere. Puccini's unerring dramatic instinct makes for a compelling theatrical experience, and in the character of Tosca, he created a role that has attracted many of the great singing actresses of the last hundred years. Tonight's Tosca, who gets to sing some unforgettable arias including 'Vissi d'arte', is the celebrated American soprano, Patricia Racette. She heads a stellar international cast including German tenor Jonas Kaufmann as Tosca's ill-fated lover, and the great Welsh singer-actor, bass baritone Bryn Terfel in one of his signature roles: Scarpia, that seeming embodiment of cold calculation and evil. Presented by Margaret Juntwait with guest commentator Ira Siff. The two intervals will contain the famous Met Quiz and live backstage interviews with members of the cast. Tosca ..... Patricia Racette (soprano) Cavaradossi ..... Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) Scarpia ..... Bryn Terfel (bass) Angelotti ..... David Pittsinger (bass) Sacristan ..... John del Carlo (bass) Spoletta ..... Eduardo Valdes (tenor) Sciarrone ..... Jeffrey Wells (bass) Gaoler ..... Richard Bernstein (bass) Shepherd Boy ..... Jonathan Makepeace (boy alto) Fabio Luisi ..... Conductor Metropolitan Chorus and Orchestra.