Emotional Insights from the Metropolitan Opera's Tosca
School
John F Kennedy High School**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
MUSIC 450A
Subject
Arts & Humanities
Date
Dec 12, 2024
Pages
4
Uploaded by mahekmehtamm15
Critique of the Metropolitan Opera’s Tosca by Giacomo PucciniFor my opera critique, I watched the Metropolitan Opera’s Tosca by Giacomo Puccini,which was part of their “Live in HD” series, streamed online. I was able to rent this opera out for$4.99 and watched it on the Metropolitan Opera website. This performance was live from theMetropolitan Opera House in New York City, featuring opera singers Karita Mattila as Tosca,Marcelo Alvarez as Cavaradossi, and George Gagnidize as Scarpia. The performance wasconducted by Joseph Colanerri. Watching it from home, I was able to experience a high-qualitybroadcast with the convenience of pausing the performance and adjusting the sound.Before watching Tosca, I did some research to better understand the opera. I read a briefsummary of the plot, which is set in Rome during the Napoleonic Wars. I learned that Tosca is adramatic story about love, jealousy, betrayal, and sacrifice. The opera follows the love trianglebetween Tosca, a passionate singer; Cavaradossi, a painter and lover of Tosca; and Scarpia, aruthless police chief. I also familiarized myself with some of the most famous musical piecesfrom the opera, including Tosca's aria "Vissi d'arte" and Cavaradossi's "E lucevan le stelle."Knowing about the key themes and arias helped me focus on the emotions and music during theperformance. I also watched a few YouTube videos of other performances to get a sense of themusic and the general atmosphere of the opera.Although I watched Tosca from home, I was aware that many others around the worldwere also experiencing the performance through the HD opera series. This made the experiencefeel like a shared event, even though I was alone in my bedroom. The pre-show discussionhelped set the stage for the opera by providing background information about the production andthe director’s vision. The discussion made me feel like I was getting a deeper understanding of
what I was about to watch, which enhanced my overall experience. Watching the performance athome allowed me to control the environment around me. I could adjust the volume, pause theperformance if I needed a break, or replay a scene if I didn’t catch something the first time.However, I did miss the excitement of watching in a theater, where the atmosphere and audiencereactions contribute to the overall experience. Being surrounded by a crowd of people who areall reacting to the performance adds a level of energy that is missing when you’re watching fromhome. Still, the broadcast allowed me to focus on the details of the music and acting withoutdistractions, which was a different but still enjoyable experience.The performers in this production of Tosca were truly exceptional. Karita Colaneri, asTosca, brought an incredible emotional depth to her character. She wore a beautiful gown thatemphasized the passionate nature of Tosca’s character. Colaneri’s voice was powerful andexpressive, and her portrayal of Tosca was both tender and fiery. One of the most memorablemoments was her performance of "Vissi d'arte," where she expressed the character’s despair andfrustration through both her singing and acting. Colaneri’s voice captured the emotionalcomplexity of Tosca, and she made it easy to understand why the character’s decisions are drivenby such intense emotions.Marcelo Alvarez, who played Cavaradossi, was another standout performer. His voicewas rich and warm, and his “E lucevan le stelle” was one of the highlights of the performance.Alvarez’s portrayal of Cavaradossi was both heroic and tragic, and his chemistry with Alvarez’sTosca made their love story feel real and deeply emotional. The connection between the twocharacters, especially in the duets, was full of emotions, and the audience could feel the intensityof their love.
George Gagnidize, who played the villainous Scarpia, was the perfect antagonist. Hisdeep, commanding voice added a sense of danger to his character. Scarpia was cold,manipulative, and cruel, and he created a tense atmosphere every time he was on stage. Hisinteractions with Tosca, particularly in the second act, were unsettling, and his ability to switchbetween charm and menace kept the audience on edge.The staging of the opera was visually impressive, and the HD video allowed me toappreciate the details of the set design. The production took place in beautifully designed Romanlocations, such as a church and a palace. The sets felt realistic and immersive, and they added tothe drama of the story. Tosca’s gown, Cavaradossi’s military uniform, and Scarpia’s dark, formalclothing were all meticulously chosen to reflect their characters. Although watching at homedidn’t give me the full effect of the grand sets and physical presence of the actors, the HDcameras gave me close-up shots of the singers' expressions, which allowed me to connect withtheir performances in a more intimate way.The music of Tosca is one of the most important aspects of the opera, and theMetropolitan Opera Orchestra showcased it wonderfully. Conducted by Joseph Colaneri, theorchestra played with great precision and emotion. The music perfectly complemented the dramaon stage, helping to heighten the tension and emotional intensity. The orchestra’s powerfulsounds during the opera’s dramatic moments contrasted beautifully with the quieter, moreintimate sections, and the overall effect was beautiful. The most memorable musical moments forme were Tosca’s aria “Vissi d’arte” and Cavaradossi’s “E lucevan le stelle.” Alvarez’sperformance of "Vissi d’arte" was emotional and heartbreaking, and it showcased her vocalrange and acting abilities. In this aria, Tosca questions why she has been forsaken by God despiteliving a life devoted to art and love. Alvarez’s voice was perfect for the role, and her emotional
delivery brought the character’s anguish to life. "E lucevan le stelle" was equally moving, as itexpressed Cavaradossi’s love for Tosca and his impending doom. The way the orchestrasupported his singing in this aria was masterful, and it helped to create a sense of tragedy andloss.Overall, the music was a key element that elevated the performance. The orchestra’ssensitivity to the singers and the way the music matched the emotional highs and lows of theopera made the experience even more powerful.I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of Tosca. The singers were outstanding, and theiremotional performances made the story feel real. Mittila’s Tosca was both heartbreaking andheroic, while Alvarez’s Cavaradossi was deeply moving. Gagnidze’s portrayal of Scarpia waschilling, and his interactions with Tosca were intense and filled with dramatic tension. Themusic, conducted by Joseph Colaneri, was beautiful and emotionally charged, with the orchestraperfectly complementing the singers.One downside of watching from home was that I missed the full impact of a live theaterexperience. The grandeur of the sets and the sound of the orchestra would have been moreimmersive in a live setting. Additionally, watching from home meant I didn’t get the experienceof being part of a live audience, where the energy of the crowd adds to the excitement.Overall, I would highly recommend watching a HD broadcast of Tosca to anyoneinterested in opera. The performance was emotionally powerful, and the singers’ voices andacting brought the story to life. I would definitely consider attending a live opera in the future, asit would offer a different experience with the full immersion of a theater setting. For futureperformances, I would prepare by reading more about the opera’s libretto and themes to enhancemy understanding and appreciation of the music and drama.