Tosca

Opera Theatre of St. Louis

Anyone seeking an example of how an operatic classic can have contemporary resonance need look no further than the character of Baron Scarpia, the villain in Puccini's 1900 political melodrama Tosca. A textbook case of how an elaborate display of public piety can be a false front for lust and violence, Scarpia also provides us one of the great moments of Italian opera in the final scene of Act I as he plots the seduction and betrayal of Tosca while the crowd celebrates High Mass. It's a spectacular scene — one of the best examples of dramatic irony you'll ever see — and comes across with overwhelming force in this production. It's also a great argument for the separation of Church and State.

Any successful production of Tosca demands a strong and compelling Scarpia, and Opera Theatre certainly has one in Brian Davis, making his debut with the company. With a ringing baritone and commanding stage presence, Davis portrays a Scarpia that is as fascinating as he is repellent — an essential combination, if we're going to get any satisfaction out of seeing Tosca stab him and then curse him as he dies in Act II.

And speaking of Tosca, soprano Cynthia Lawrence is truly impressive as the singer whose passionate attachment to her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, leads her to betray both him and the political prisoner Angelotti, with tragic results for all concerned. When OTSL last mounted this opera back in 1995, I noted the lack of sexual chemistry between their Tosca and Cavaradossi. I'm happy to say I have no such reservations this time around. Lawrence and tenor Stephen Mark Brown create vocal fireworks in their duets and the intensity of their passion is completely convincing.

There's fine work also from bass-baritone Terry Hodges in the comic relief role of The Sacristan, muttering to himself as he fusses about the stage. His complaints about the disorder of artists like Cavaradossi and Tosca are a lighter reflection of Scarpia's dark lust for order and control.

As he did in 1995, Stephen Lord conducts the OTSL orchestra with great polish. Director Neil Peter Jampolis provides some vivid stage pictures and frames them in a striking set that includes an ominous statue of St. Michael, complete with drawn sword, looming in the background throughout Act III. Mark McCullough's dramatic lighting nicely compliments that set.

This is, bottom line, a fine production of an operatic classic, well worth seeing. It's also relatively short, coming in at just over two and one-half hours with intermission, which might make it a good introduction for those of you just starting to dip your toes in the operatic waters. The Opera Theatre of St. Louis production of Tosca will continue through June 28th at the Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves. Call 314-961-0644 for ticket information. If the weather's nice, bring a picnic basket and a bottle of wine and make an evening of it

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