The production of Puccini’s Tosca by Opera Queensland, directed by Patrick Nolan, is a powerful and engaging work. Though deeply dramatic in all three acts, it’s not excessive and captivates the whole way through. The opera will give you a sense of being caught up in a grand unfolding tale, without overwhelming the senses or being hard to follow. It has a compelling story with themes of sanctity, virtue, love, jealousy, freedom, power and justice, and makes for a great evening at QPAC.
The design work of Dale Ferguson is beautiful, and the lighting by Mark Howett is superb, turning each scene into a dynamic painting (kind of like Edward Hopper’s best known works, but Italian) with perfect colour schemes and composition – exquisitely highlighted by details like glimmering candlelight, the occasional puff of smoke, and different parts of the stage sliding and glowing softly. The costumes were also well co-ordinated, illuminating the cast of both simple and vibrant characters.
In this recreation (over 100 years after the first operatic premiere) the updated setting of 1970s Italy (as opposed to Rome of 1800) works well, although in a sort of tragic way, as the struggles of actress Floria Tosca (played by Rachel Durkin) against an oppressively male-dominated world have persisted over time. It’s also unnerving how the manipulation of truth and curbing of justice by corrupt authority, in this case police chief Scarpia (played by José Carbó), still feels relevant today. Cold-hearted deceit and abuses of power are made more shocking beside the tenderness and piety central to the story. The first act, where Tosca and her beloved (the painter Cavaradossi, played by Angus Wood) embrace, is set inside a church, and symbols of vulnerability, honour and religiosity are underscored throughout.
The Queensland Symphony Orchestra led by Maestro Oliver von Dohnyani, along with the Opera Queensland Chorus and Children’s Chorus ensured a cinematic experience in three dimensions. The sound seemed to envelop, and the unbelievable strength of the singer’s voices were supported as they soared out to meet eager ears. Every conversation, declaration, monologue of self-reflection and climax of poignancy in the plot was complimented brilliantly by the presence of orchestra and choir (perfectly utilising both silence and sound). It’s incredible the effect that alignment of music and story has, carefully building the significance and emotional depth of events depicted.
I found myself growing more and more immersed in the tragic story, right up until the intense end. Criminal investigation is performed through song, a man risks everything for a friend on the run, and a woman takes on tremendous wickedness in a sparkling red dress, Tosca is a challenging but captivating piece of theatre. Expertly played by all involved, it was a night to remember.
13 - 22 June, 2019
QPAC, Lyric Theatre
Jasmine Mahnoor