Before Shonda Rhymes and Scandal/Grey’s Anatomy, there was opera…in particular the brand of Italian ‘verismatic’ opera espoused by the ever-popular Giuseppi Verdi and Giacomo Puccini. Seattle Opera is ringing in the new year with Puccini’s beloved opera, Tosca. An energetic favorite around the world, Tosca, with its fast pace from beginning to end, sweeps up the audience in the melodrama of the prima donna, Tosca, as she passionately battles to free her one true love, Mario, from the clutches of the corrupt police chief, Baron Scarpia.
The production promises ‘crackling melodrama,’ a ‘rousing score’ and memorable performances from its stand-out line-up of singers. Lithuanian soprano Ausrine Stundyte garnered admiration from Seattle audiences in 2012 for her stunning performance as Cio-Cio-San in another Puccini opera, Madame Butterfly, opposite Italian tenor Stefano Secco as San’s love interest, Lietenant Pinkerton. Stundyte and Secco play the main roles in Tosca, along with superstar bass-baritone Greer Grimsley as the wicked chief of police. Grimsley is currently counted as one of the best Wagnerian singers in the world, and received praise internationally for his performances as Wotan in performances of the Ring cycle in Berlin, Tokyo, Venice, Cologne, Shanghai, The Met in NYC and Seattle Opera. (Grimsley will reprise his other signature role as the Flying Dutchman next year at the Seattle Opera.)
Director of Education for Seattle Opera, Sue Elliot, will be presenting pre-performance talks on Tosca and each performance is to be followed by an ‘Opera Talk-Back’ with staff members and artists from the performance. Previews in the form a multimedia presentations are also given throughout the week at multiple locations in Seattle and surrounds to get better acquainted with the opera’s plot and history. (For a full list click here).
Seattle Opera’s Tosca kicks off in full dramatic swing with an opening night gala, replete with red carpet. Dress code is DIVA!
Tosca, with its over-the-top drama, high-quality cast and sweeping lyrical music score promises to enthrall the most seasoned of audiences, while providing the perfect ‘gateway’ opportunity for those interested in experiencing its delights for the first time.
Seattle Opera Presents Tosca
When: January 10, 2015 – January 24, 2015
Where: McCaw Hall (321 Mercer St.)
Tickets available through www.seattleopera.org
