Tosca, Royal Opera House

There’s operatic tragedy, and then there’s Tosca – Puccini’s 1900 melodrama. Set on the cusp of Napoleon’s campaign through Italy, it is a chilling tale of violence and passion, matched by music of the highest energy and pomp. First seen in 2006, Jonathan Kent’s production retains the original setting, with sumptuous Roman interiors and period costume. This year, for the Royal Opera House Winter season, it returns with an international cast.

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The bloody events of Tosca unfurl over less than twenty-four hours. In a Rome torn between French republicanism and Neapolitan monarchy, the painter Cavaradossi pledges to protect the escaped political prisoner Angelotti. But to do so he must contend with police chief Scarpia, likely the most odious villain in all Italian opera. Caught in the midst of their machinations is Cavaradossi’s lover Tosca, a famous singer. A whirlwind of deceit, betrayal and torture spreads through these four characters, concluding in a devastating final set piece. Throughout, Puccini’s music retains a taut momentum, with bursts of shocking ferocity and Wagner-inspired motifs.

The lead role will be split between two world-class sopranos, each of whom takes five dates. The South African Amanda Echalaz, Tosca in 2008 and 2013, returns to the role that broke her to Royal Opera audiences. The Romanian superstar Angela Gheorghiu (La traviata, La bohème), whose own career was forged in Covent Garden in the 1990s and who starred in the original performance of this production, is likely to provide a ravishing performance. They will be joined by Francesco Meli (Rigoletti, I due Foscari) as the heroic Cavaradossi. Samuel Youn and Roberto Frontali share the role of Scarpia. Emmanuel Villaume, Dallas Opera Music Director, makes his fourth appearance conducting the Royal Orchestra opera. It may be a hardy perennial, but this Tosca should still have the power to bedazzle.