Media Release

“John Bell’s Tosca is a triumph for Opera Australia.” The Daily Telegraph “Bell’s is an unforgettable production: moving and confronting yet never so gruelling as to overwhelm Puccini’s romantic masterpiece.” The Herald Sun John Bell’s critically acclaimed 20th century retelling of Puccini’s Tosca returns to the Sydney Opera House stage with a stellar cast featuring some of the best performers in the world. This is a production that calls for three exceptional principal singers, and this year two outstanding casts are taking on the challenging roles of Tosca, Cavaradossi and Scarpia. Popular Spanish soprano Ainhoa Arteta will make her debut with Opera Australia, sharing the title role with Italian Daria Masiero. Romanian tenor Teodor Ilincai, also making his Opera Australia debut and Diego Torre will take on the role of Cavaradossi; and one of the best baritones in the world, Italian Lucio Gallo will play Scarpia along with local favourite Shane Lowrencev. “I’m very excited for Arteta and Ilincai to be performing with Opera Australia. Arteta is one of the greatest sopranos around and Ilincai is a fantastic tenor who will bring tremendous power to the role,” said Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini. “Lucio Gallo is really interesting. He’s a very famous baritone and has sung all the great baritone roles in all the major opera houses in the world. To see him perform in the role of Scarpia will be captivating.” To conduct, Opera Australia is excited to welcome back the Romanian-American maestro Christian Badea. In this production, Bell keeps the opera’s original setting in Rome, but moves the date from 1800 to 1943. Instead of Napoleon’s army occupying the city, it is the Nazis. The transition brings the story forward into an era that resonates with today’s audiences. “Tosca is not a melodrama,” says Bell. “It is a heart-wrenching story of oppression, resistance and a woman blackmailed to save the life of a loved one. The era I have chosen is a time close enough for its history and images to stir our memory and our emotions. Tosca is a dark story, but one alleviated by Puccini's glorious music, which celebrates the heroism of those who choose death over loss of liberty.” The curtain rises on a breathtaking recreation of the Sant'Andrea della Valle by award-winning set designer Michael Scott-Mitchell, whose designs propel the story, from the sheer magnificence of the church, to the austerity of Scarpia’s quarters, and finally to the stark oppression of the prison. Bell’s vision and Scott-Mitchell’s designs are complemented by the work of costume designer Teresa Negroponte, including a stunning evening gown for Tosca.

Creatives Performance information Conductor Christian Badea (until Mar 14) Evenings at 7.30pm Tahu Matheson February 17, 21, 28 Director John Bell March 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 22, 29, 31 Revival Director Roger Press Set Designer Michael Scott-Mitchell Saturday matinées at 1pm Costume Designer Teresa Negroponte February 25 Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper March 25 Fight Choreographer Nigel Poulton Running time Three hours including two intervals. Cast Performed in Italian with English surtitles. Tosca Ainhoa Arteta (until Mar 14) Daria Masiero Cavaradossi Teodor Ilincai (until Mar 10) Bookings Diego Torre Adult tickets from $72 (fees may apply) Scarpia Lucio Gallo (until Mar 14) Group and concession prices available Shane Lowrencev for most performances. Spoletta Graeme Macfarlane Student Rush available for most Sciarrone Adrian Tamburini (until Mar 14) performances: $50 (fees may apply) Tom Hamilton Opera Australia Box Office Angelotti Richard Anderson (02) 9318 8200 Sacristan Luke Gabbedy (until Mar 14) www.opera.org.au Samuel Dundas Gaoler Anthony Mackey Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House With the Opera Australia Chorus and Opera Australia Orchestra

Media enquiries Janet Glover | PR Manager 02 9318 8246 | 0412 601 816 [email protected]