The Royal Opera
Jakub Hrůša
Music Director
Oliver Mears
Director of Opera
Tosca
MELODRAMMA IN THREE ACTS
Thursday 11 September 2025 7pm
The 561st performance by The Royal Opera at the Royal Opera House.
Please note that casting is subject to change up until the start of the performance. Please continue to check the website for the most up-to-date information.
Approximate Timings
The performance lasts approximately 3 hours, including two intervals
Act I
45 minutes
Interval
25 minutes
Act II
45 minutes
Interval
25 minutes
Act III
35 minutes
Credits
- Music
Giacomo Puccini
- Libretto
Giuseppe Giacosa
after Victorien Sardou's play La Tosca
- Conductor
Jakub Hrůša
- Director
Oliver Mears
- Set designer
Simon Lima Holdsworth
- Costume designer
Ilona Karas
- Lighting Designer
Fabiana Piccioli
- Movement and Intimacy Director
Anna Morrissey
Cast
- Floria Tosca
Anna Netrebko
- Mario Cavaradossi
Freddie De Tommaso
- Baron Scarpia
Gerald Finley
- Spoletta
Carlo Bosi
- Cesare Angelotti
Ossian Huskinson
- Sacristan
Alessandro Corbelli
- Sciarrone
Siphe Kwani
- Gaoler
Olle Zetterström
- Young Shepherd
Raphy Laming
- Actors
David Galea
Suleiman Suleiman
James Unsworth
Charlie Venables
Addis Williams
Ossian Huskinson and Siphe Kwani are Jette Parker Artists
Chorus and Orchestra
- Chorus
Royal Opera Chorus
- Chorus Director
William Spaulding
- Orchestra
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Principal Guest Concert Master
Vasko Vassilev
by arrangement with Trittico
- Children’s Chorus
Cardinal Vaughan School
Grey Coat Hospital School
- Music Director
Scott Price
Cardinal Vaughan School
- Music Director
Steve Hill
Grey Coat Hospital School
Extra Chorus
- Sopranos
Stephanie Corley
Janet Fairlie
Celeste Gattai
Rebecca Goulden
Vanessa Woodfine
- Mezzo-sopranos
Maria Brown
Siobhain Gibson
Clare McCaldin
Jennifer Westwood
- Tenors
Richard Monk
Robert Amon
Simon Biazeck
- Basses
Oscar Castellino
Oliver Gibbs
Gavin Horsley
Simon Preece
Production credits
- Music preparation
Nick Fletcher
Richard Fu
Peggy Wu
Aleksandra Myslek
Nicholas Ansdell-Evans
- Assistant Directors
Simon Iorio
Isabelle Kettle
- Language Coach
Barbara Diana
- Fight Director
Bret Yount
- Sound Effects
Emma Laxton
Richard Fu and Peggy Wu are Jette Parker Artists
The Royal Opera
- Patron
HM The King
- Music Director
Jakub Hrůša
- Director of Opera
Oliver Mears
- Director of Casting
Peter Mario Katona
- Associate Director
Netia Jones
- Administrative Director
Cormac Simms
Synopsis
Act I
Cesare Angelotti, a politician of the former Roman Republic, has escaped prison and seeks refuge in a church. The painter Mario Cavaradossi, a Republican sympathizer working in the church, promises to help him. Angelotti hides as Cavaradossi’s lover Floria Tosca arrives. The lovers’ meeting reveals Tosca’s passionate love and jealousy. When Tosca has gone, Cavaradossi instructs Angelotti to hide at Cavaradossi’s villa. Baron Scarpia, a police commander, arrives at the church, interrupting the congregation’s celebrations of a victory at the Battle of Marengo. He suspects Cavaradossi of hiding Angelotti. When Tosca returns, Scarpia uses a fan left by Angelotti to make her believe that Cavaradossi is having an affair. The congregation sings a prayer: the Te Deum. Tosca leaves for Cavaradossi’s villa, and Scarpia instructs his assistant Spoletta to follow her and track down Angelotti.
IntervalAct II
Scarpia has arrested Cavaradossi. He summons Tosca and forces her to listen as Cavaradossi is tortured in the next room. Tosca reveals Angelotti’s hiding place. Scarpia condemns Cavaradossi to death but tells Tosca that he will free her lover if she will offer herself to him. In agony, Tosca agrees and Scarpia tells her he will arrange a mock execution. As Scarpia embraces Tosca, she kills him.
IntervalAct III
As dawn approaches, Cavaradossi waits for his execution in the Castel Sant’Angelo. Tosca arrives and tells him what she has done. She instructs him on how to pretend to die in the mock execution. When Cavaradossi is shot, Tosca is impressed with her lover’s acting. But Scarpia has double-crossed her: Cavaradossi really is dead. As Spoletta’s men arrive to arrest her for Scarpia’s murder, she kills herself.
Guidance
Suitable for ages 14+. This production contains depiction of execution.
This production contains depictions of executions, violence, blood, gore, murder, sexual assault, implied torture and suicide. There are gunshots in Act III. Please note that, as this is a new production, age guidance and content warnings may be subject to change.
Language
Sung in Italian with English surtitles, which are displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.
Generous support from
Exceptional philanthropic support from Royal Ballet and Opera Principal Julia Rausing Trust
Generous philanthropic support from Philipp Freise, Charles Holloway OBE, John McGinn and Cary Davis, Simon and Virginia Robertson, The Thompson Family Charitable Trust, Royal Ballet And Opera Patrons and The American Friends of Covent Garden
Generously supported by Rolex, Principal Partner, The Royal Opera
Further information
Digital Cast Sheets
We are working hard on our commitment towards becoming more sustainable and are striving for our net zero goal of 2035. By using digital cast sheets and e-tickets, we have reduced our paper consumption by over five tonnes per year. You can view our digital cast sheets on a computer, tablet or smartphone by scanning the QR codes displayed around the building using your smartphone’s camera app. They are also displayed on screens outside the auditoria. Cast sheets are generously supported by the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.
Guidelines
Photography and filming are prohibited during performances in any of our auditoriums. You are welcome to take pictures throughout the rest of the building and before performances and share them with us through social media. Commercial photography and filming must be agreed in advance with our press team.
Larger bags and backpacks need to be check into our complimentary cloakrooms. Unattended bags may be removed.
Please do not place any personal belongings on the ledges in front of you. Mobile phones should be turned off and stored away safely during performances.
Only bottled water and ice cream purchased from the premises can be taken into the auditorium.
If you arrive late to the auditorium or leave during a performance, you will not be allowed back to your seat until the interval or a suitable break.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on the premises.
The safety of our visitors, staff and artists is our priority. To help us provide a comfortable experience for everyone, please be mindful of others and their personal space.
Our staff are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect and we ask that you show them and your fellow audience members respect too. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach in response to anyone who interacts with our staff or with fellow audience members in an intimidating, aggressive or threatening manner.
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