Tosca, Opera North

Leeds Grand Theatre

Saturday,September 22, 2018

OPERA North's 2002 production of Puccini's Tosca is remembered mainly for the distracting presence of the (usually unseen) Marchesa Attavanta holding a two hour-long vigil from on top of a cupboard. The imagery in Edward Dick's utterly compelling new production is memorable for the right reasons.

Tom Scutt's resourceful stage design is dominated by a large gilded dome decorated with frescoes and suspended high above the stage for the Church depicted in Act 1. Later, the dome becomes a surreal backdrop for Cavaradossi's execution and Tosca's famous death leap. Dick's updating from early 19th century Rome to an indeterminate location in the present day intensifies the feeling of collusion between Church and State, as personified by Scarpia the corrupt Chief of Police.

An excellent cast deliver powerful vocal characterisations: Giselle Allen's Tosca conveys passion and smouldering jealousy. Her pleading Vissi d'arte (I have lived for art) is listened to in rapt silence and not spoiled by applause before the three brooding final orchestral chords. Rafael Rojas debuted as Tosca's lover, the artist Mario Cavaradossi, in the 2002 production. The Mexican tenor floats some lovely phrasing and burnished top notes in Recondita armonia (Hidden harmony). Rojas duly delivers a thrilling cry of defiance in Vittoria! Vittoria! (Victory!)

Robert Hayward's nervy, twitching Scarpia projects pure evil in his long monologue anticipating Tosca, Ha piu forte sapore (for myself the violent conquest).

Supporting cameos are exceptionally strong - particularly John Savournin's rope-shimmying escaped prisoner Angelotti. Rupert Charlesworth as Spoletta and Richard Moseley-Evans as Sciarrone are Scarpia's menacing black-suited agents. Ross McInroy is Cavaradossi's sympathetic gaoler, Matthew Stiff brings a touch of humour as the Sacristan, and young Ben Hayes sings beautifully as the melancholy shepherd boy.

The Chorus sings the Act 1 Te Deum with full throated visceral power and the sixty piece Orchestra of Opera North, conducted by Anthony Hermus, reveals the creepy nuances and roof raising brassy splendour of Puccini's atmospheric musical score. The dramatic force of those thunderous final chords knocked out the stalls.

28th Sept, 3rd, 5th, 11th and 13th October at Leeds Grand Theatre.

Geoffrey Mogridge