Villain dominates in Opera Australia’s revival of John Bell’s Tosca

The lovers at the centre of Puccini’s masterpiece Tosca may be the heroic figures of the plot but it’s the villain who stands out.

Marco Vratogna as Scarpia and Carmen Giannattasio as Tosca in Opera Australia's 2021 production of Tosca at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: Prudence Upton

• Simone’s cup cake for Ludwig
• Dance to the music of time
• Rare Verdi makes for big flavour

The lovers at the centre of Puccini’s masterpiece Tosca may be the heroic figures of the plot but it’s the villain who stands out.

And what a monster we get in the form of Marco Vratogna, who plays the ruthless police chief Vitellio Scarpia with a dark intensity and a spider-like intelligence.

In this hugely enjoyable revival of John Bell’s 2018 production, the Italian baritone offers an impressively chilling study of evil cloaked in a sanctimonious veneer.

Puccini’s rousing music, often based on the sonorous clanging of bells for dramatic effect, sets the mood almost from the start in this tense drama, here updated to 1940s Italy, when Nazi influence gripped much of Europe.

DOMINATES

From the moment Scarpia enters the magnificent Sant’andrea della Valle church in Rome in pursuit of the escapee Angelotti, he dominates the production.

Angelotti, played by talented bass David Parkin, is helped by the painter Cavaradossi but not before the vivacious and jealous Tosca visits the artist, suspecting him of having an affair with the beautiful woman in his painting.

Diego Torre as Cavaradossi and Carmen Giannattasio as Tosca. Picture: Prudence Upton

Mexican-born performer Diego Torre, as Cavaradossi, used his powerful tenor to great effect, proving flexible too in the softer registers.

Scarpia’s men search the chapel and find a fan with a family crest of the artist’s subject. Scarpia uses this to inflame Tosca’s jealousy.

To apply further pressure on Tosca, Scarpia arrests Cavaradossi and subjects him to torture.

Tosca, played by leading Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio, begs for his life. With his cries ringing in her ears, she is forced to reveal Angelotti’s hiding place.

Scarpia offers to save Cavaradossi’s life if she will have sex with him. She reluctantly agrees and he orders a mock execution by firing squad. Too late, Tosca realises the execution was real and she stabs Scarpia to death, paying with her own life.

Baritone Luke Gabbedy made an interesting contribution as the moody, complaining sacristan, who is not above filching from the collection box when he thinks no-one is watching.

A fine production, well sung, beautifully staged and with the bonus of Puccini’s music.

DETAILS

● OPERA Tosca

● STARS Diego Torre, Marco Vratogna, David Parkin, Carmen Giannattasio

●AT Sydney Opera House

●UNTIL March 13

●BOOKINGS 9250 7777, www.sydneyoperahouse.com