Rebellion. Corruption. Jealousy. Torture. A mislaid dagger. And most of all, love.

The ingredients in Puccini's opera are enough for an entire television series, but actually take place in the course of one intense day in Rome in June 1800. When Mario Cavaradossi, a painter, is suspected of harbouring a political refugee, Scarpia, the sadistic chief of police, sees his chance, not only to catch the rebel but also to win Cavaradossi's lover, the famous opera singer Floria Tosca. Neither Scarpia nor Tosca spare any means to get what they want.

The Bergen International Festival opens with a concert version of the opera, with moving duets and some of the world's best-known arias, including Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore (Tosca's Prayer) and É lucevan le stelle (And the stars were shining).

Soprano Lise Davidsen makes her stage debut in the title role. Her revolutionary lover is portrayed by the British-Italian tenor Freddie De Tommaso, while the evil Roman police chief is played by the Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel.

In the opening performance of the Bergen International Festival this fatal trefoil takes the stage accompanied by Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Edvard Grieg Choir and Edvard Grieg Boys' Choir.

Duration: 2 hours and 25 minutes,  with 30 minutes intermission included.

LANGUAGE
Sung in Italian, surtitles in Norwegian and English

Giacomo Puccini  / Music
Luigi Illica  and  Giuseppe Giacosa  / Libretto

CONTRIBUTORS
Edward Gardner / Conductor
Jesper Kongshaug / Lighting design
Nicolai Riise / Concert staging
Håkon Matti Skrede / Chorus master

Lise Davidsen / Floria Tosca
Freddie De Tommaso / Mario Cavaradossi
Bryn Terfel / Baron Scarpia
Ashley Riches  / Cesare Angelotti
Christian Valle /  A Sacristan
Kjetil Støa / Spoletta
Ludvig Lindström / Sciarrone
Olav Frøyen Sandvik /  A Shepherd boy
David Hansford /  A Jailer

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Edvard Grieg Choir
Edvard Grieg Boys' Choir
Bergen Philharmonic Choir
Collegium Musicum's Choir

PRODUCED BY
​Bergen International Festival i cooperation with Bergen National Opera and  Musikkselskapet Harmonien

Image: Lise Davidsen (photo: Morten Krogvold)