The music in Tosca is very well-known, in part for its ability to conjure a range of powerful emotions. Its arias are particularly impactful, drawing audiences deep into the inner worlds of characters as they reflect on love, life and loss. Now without further ado, let’s take you on a musical journey, delving into three stunning arias from Tosca.
Recondita armonia
Beginning in Act One, we have Recondita armonia (What strange and lovely harmony), sung by Cavaradossi. In this tenor aria, Cavaradossi muses on the differences between his painting of Mary Magdalene and his lover Tosca, singing ‘your eyes are blue while Tosca’s are dark / The mystery of art blends the two beauties together’. He sings with passion, accompanied by gentle orchestration featuring cellos and muted strings, as well as a clarinet which plays a delightful countermelody. The aria ends with the romantic statement ‘But while I paint her, all my thoughts are of you’, illustrating Cavaradossi’s adoration of Tosca.
Vissi d’arte
Another gorgeous aria is the iconic Vissi d’arte (I have lived for art), which is sung by Tosca in Act Two. In our production, this comes following her witnessing Cavaradossi being tortured, and later being assaulted herself by Scarpia. Trapped in his bedroom, she questions why she has been treated so cruelly, pleading that she has never harmed anyone and has always been generous and faithful, and asking ‘In my hour of need, Lord, / why do you reward me in this way?’ The soprano aria is highly challenging, requiring the singer to have strong breath control and express intense emotions. When performed well, it is incredibly moving, creating a deep connection between the audience and Tosca as she reveals her vulnerability and heartache.
E lucevan le stelle
Last but certainly not least is Cavaradossi’s aria E lucevan le stelle (And the stars were shining). Performed in Act Three, this aria sees Cavaradossi reflecting on his life as he prepares to die. It begins with a haunting clarinet solo which plays the melody; in our production, the huge golden dome behind him also becomes a dark sky full of stars. Cavaradossi then describes his last meeting with Tosca, setting the scene with beautiful detail: ‘The gate of the garden creaked / and a footstep grazed the sand. / Fragrant, she entered / and fell into my arms’. He reminisces about their love, and the aria soars as he woefully sings ‘The moment has passed and I die in despair’, supported by a dramatic string accompaniment. Prepare yourself for tears as the final line ‘Never have I loved life so much’ reverberates throughout the auditorium.
So, for anyone who is unfamiliar with Tosca, we would highly recommend listening to these exquisite arias. Also make sure to keep an eye on our social media, where we will be sharing some of the music from this production, along with fascinating behind-the-scenes footage!