Puccini’s Tosca

Embark on a journey of passion and betrayal with Giacomo Puccini’s timeless masterpiece, Tosca. Join us as the Symphony, South Bend Lyric Opera, and South Bend Chamber Singers reunite for two unforgettable performances.

Program

Tosca

GIACOMO PUCCINI
Born: December 22, 1858, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
Died: November 29, 1924, Brussels, Belgium
Composed: 1897-1899
Premiered: January 14, 1900, Rome, Italy

Tosca is a riveting, three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini, featuring an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Drawing inspiration from Victorien Sardou’s play La Tosca, it is set against the backdrop of Rome in June 1800, a period of intense political upheaval as Napoleon’s invasion threatens the Kingdom of Naples’ grip on the city.
Tosca epitomizes verismo opera with its intense drama and vivid orchestration. The tragic tale follows Floria Tosca, a famed singer, her lover Mario Cavaradossi, a painter, and the villainous police chief, Baron Scarpia. Set in Rome during June 1800, the narrative delves into themes of love, jealousy, political intrigue, and betrayal, all brought to life by Puccini’s evocative score.
The opera features some of Puccini’s most renowned arias, such as “Vissi d’arte” and “E lucevan le stelle,” which beautifully convey the characters’ emotional turmoil. These pivotal moments, like a direct window into the character’s innermost feelings, serve to enhance the dramatic impact, keeping the audience engaged and intrigued.
Tosca’s premiere was a dramatic event, delayed due to political unrest in Rome. Despite this, it quickly became one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide. Its lyrical and dramatic elements continue to captivate audiences and performers alike.
The enduring appeal of Tosca is a testament to Puccini’s ability to convey profound human emotions through masterful orchestration and vocal expression. This intricate mix of intense drama and exquisite music makes it a timeless piece, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire. Tosca is not just a tale of romance and political intrigue but a reflection of Puccini’s genius in creating music that deeply resonates with the human experience, a relevance that transcends time.

Anya Matanoviĉ, Tosca

Praised for her “thrilling vocal color” and “sweetly winning” presence, American soprano Anya Matanovic made her international opera debut as Musetta in Franco Zeffirelli’s captivating production of Puccini’s La bohème with the New Israeli Opera’s. In her debut with the Glimmerglass Festival as Micaëla, she was praised for her “sinuous soprano with its golden timbre and silky-smooth legato, [which] charmed the ears immediately…” and “first-class performance” (David Abrams, Musical Criticism).

Emanuel-Cristian Caraman, Cavaradossi

Throughout his career Romanian tenor and recording artist, Emanuel-Cristian Caraman has appeared with opera companies, symphony orchestras in Europe, South America and North America, including many prestigious concert halls such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Ateneul Roman in Bucharest, and Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna. Mr. Caraman has performed with Los Angeles Opera, George Enescu International Music Festival in Bucharest, Miami Lyric Opera, Die Deutsche Kammerphilarmonie in Bremen, CBA Symphony in Chicago, Düsseldorf Lyric Opera, South Bend Lyric Opera, Union Avenue Opera in St. Louis, Opera in the Heights in Houston, New England Chamber Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra and New Philharmonic Orchestra.

Morgan Smith, Scarpia

American baritone Morgan Smith is one of the most prolific performers of modern operatic repertoire in the world. Known for his riveting dramatic portrayals and the power and beauty of his voice, Mr. Smith has been entrusted to create 16 roles in world premieres, including Starbuck in Jake Heggie’s widely celebrated Moby-Dick.
Mr. Smith has also earned universal praise for performances in traditional repertoire, notably Scarpia (Tosca), Escamillo (Carmen), title role of Don Giovanni, Sharpless (Madama Butterfly), Count Alamaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Four Villains (Les contes d’Hoffmann), and the title role of Eugene Onegin

About South Bend Lyric Opera

Over its initial four seasons, the South Bend Lyric Opera has garnered the esteem and patronage of a dedicated audience, thankful for the opportunity to witness both emerging and established talents grace intimate stages. This professional ensemble is committed to upholding the artistic integrity of opera, focusing not only on stellar performances but also on maximizing the potential of each performance space.

At its core, the South Bend Lyric Opera seeks to expand the reach of high-quality opera performances to the broadest audience possible within the South Bend community. Committed to a leadership role in the sphere of arts education and audience development, the opera is a beacon of creativity and innovation. By nurturing talents and fostering community engagement, the opera aims to perpetuate and enrich the vibrant and time-honored tradition of operatic excellence, inviting everyone to be part of this captivating journey.

About South Bend Chamber Singers

Led by Dr. Nancy Menk, The South Bend Chamber Singers, an ensemble-in-residence at Saint Mary’s College, is in its 28th season. Over the past 20-plus years the Singers have presented major choral-orchestral works such as Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Magnificat, B Minor Mass, and St. John Passion; Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Brahms’ Requiem and Orff’s Carmina Burana. Yet, the ensemble concentrates primarily on works by living composers and regularly commissions new works and unusual and complex arrangements. 

The Singers have commissioned new choral works from composers Stephen Paulus, Jan Bach, William Hawley, Steven Sametz, Libby Larsen, Gregg Smith, Carey Boyce, Frank Ferko, Dan Locklair, Carol Barnett, Paul Carey, Zae Munn, Robert Harris, J. David Moore, and many others, most of which have been published and continue to be performed by choirs throughout the world. Other concerts have featured music from the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Africa, India, Korea, and even Mongolia. 

The choir has joined with numerous other chamber and instrumental ensembles including the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, and Germany’s Chamber Orchestra of the Rhine; the Chester, Cavani, and Avalon String Quartets; the Northern Illinois University Steel Band, and South Bend’s own Kennedy’s Kitchen. 

The Chamber Singers were selected to perform for the Central Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in 1996 (Cincinnati) and 2002 (Chicago). In 2000, the Singers were one of five finalists for the prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, given annually by Chorus America, and they won the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming in 2004. In March 2012 they performed for the American Choral Directors Association Central Division Conference in Fort Wayne. They were semi-finalists for The American Prize in Choral Performance in 2012 and 2013. From 1992 to 2009 they were awarded annual grants from the Indiana Arts Commission. 

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