Suddenly Tosca runs in with the story of her encounter with Scarpia. Writing it, overcome with memories of love, he gives way to despair. Cavaradossi is led to the roof of Castel Sant'Angelo to await execution he bribes the jailer to convey a farewell note to Tosca. ACT III.Ī Shepherd is heard singing as church bells toll the dawn. When he embraces her, Tosca stabs him with a knife from the table and slips out. Scarpia prepares a document of safe-conduct for the lovers.
The baron orders a mock execution, and Spoletta leaves. Spoletta interrupts: faced with capture, Angelotti has killed himself. Fighting him off, she protests her fate to God, saying she has dedicated her life to art and love. Scarpia suggests Tosca yield to him in exchange for her lover's life. When the gendarme Sciarrone rushes in to announce that Napoleon has won the Battle of Marengo, a defeat for Scarpia's side, Cavaradossi shouts his defiance and is dragged to prison. Cavaradossi is carried in realizing what has happened, he rages at Tosca. Unnerved by his screams, she reveals Angelotti's hiding place. She enters as her lover is led away to be tortured. The spy Spoletta arrives having failed to find Angelotti, he placates the baron by bringing in Cavaradossi, who is interrogated while Tosca is heard singing at a royal gala downstairs. In the Farnese Palace, Scarpia anticipates the pleasure of bending Tosca to his will. Scarpia has the diva trailed, scheming to get her in his power. Thinking Cavaradossi faithless, Tosca tearfully vows vengeance and leaves, as the church resounds with the Te Deum. When Tosca returns looking for her lover, Scarpia shows her the Attavanti crest on a fan he has found.
Their excitement is silenced by the entrance of Baron Scarpia, chief of the secret police, in search of Angelotti.
The Sacristan returns with choirboys who are about to sing a Te Deum. When she has left, Cavaradossi summons Angelotti, as a cannon signals that the police have discovered the escape the two flee to Cavaradossi's villa. When she recognizes the marchesa's likeness, her suspicions are renewed, but he reassures her. She jealously questions Cavaradossi, then prays and reminds him of their rendezvous that evening. When the Sacristan leaves, Angelotti ventures out and is recognized by the painter, who gives him food and hurries him back into the chapel as Tosca is heard outside. Cavaradossi contrasts the beauty of the blond marchesa with that of his lover, the raven-haired singer Floria Tosca. The Sacristan enters to pray and is interrupted by the painter Mario Cavaradossi, who has come to work on his portrait of Mary Magdalene - inspired by the Marchesa Attavanti, Angelotti's sister. Cesare Angelotti, an escaped political prisoner, runs into the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle to hide in the family chapel.
0 kommentar(er)
