Special Sub-Topic: Puccini's 'Tosca' Click Here To Play: Puccini's 'Tosca'

What is the setting for 'Tosca'?

Rome, 1800. The Napoleonic Wars were going at the time of 'Tosca', so it has to be June, 1800.

What is the name of the escaped political prisoner who rushes to the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle to hide in the Attavanti chapel?

Angelotti. Angelotti has aged and is not immediately recognized by Cavaradossi, his old friend.

What is Tosca's profession?

opera singer. Her success as an opera star has made her very vain and jealous.

When Tosca visits Cavaradossi at the Attavanti chapel, what is he doing that makes her so jealous?

painting a picture. Cavaradossi was painting a picture of Mary Magdalene by using Marchesa Attavanti (Angelotti's sister) as a model, making Tosca ripe with jealousy.

Who is Baron Scarpia?

chief of the secret police. Scarpia comes to the Attavanti chapel in search of escapee Angelotti.

What does Scarpia show Tosca which convinces her Cavaradossi was cheating on her?

a fan. Tosca later throws the fan at the picture of Mary Magdelena (which looks like Marchesa Attavanti) in haste.

True or false: The lovers don't see each other once Cavaradossi is in Scarpia's hands until the end of opera when Cavaradossi is shot.

f. Before Cavaradossi is taken away to be tortured, Tosca bursts in and pleads for mercy with Scarpia.

Where does Tosca tell Scarpia that the escape prisoner is hiding is hiding?

a well. Cavaradossi had earlier told Angelotti about a side hatch down a well. Cavaradossi was very surprised Tosca told Scarpia about the hiding place, being that she swore to him she would not talk.

What battle does Napoleon win, to Scarpia's misfortune, in the middle of the play?

Battle of Marengo. Napoleon wins the battle for the 'liberals', which Cavaradossi is one of.

What does Cavaradossi shout out at the news of Napoleon's victory which makes Scarpia sentence him to death?

'Victory! Victory!'. 'Vittoria! Vittoria!' gets Cavaradossi a death sentence.

What does Scarpia want from Tosca in exchange for Cavaradossi's life?

sex. Tosca is disgusted by Scarpia's proposition, but gives in at the last moment.

What is the name of Scarpia's spy who he tells to shoot Cavaradossi with blanks come exectution time?

Spoletta. Sacristan worked at the church and Sciarrone is Scarpia's guard.

What does Tosca put by Scarpia's dead body?

some candles. Tosca does kill Scarpia with a knife, but snatched the safe-conduct pass from his hands and then puts candles around Scarpia and a cross on his chest. Tosca goes to meet, not free, Cavaradossi because she thinks he'll be 'executed' and they could flee together.

True or false: Cavaradossi is shot dead by the executioners, revealing that Scarpia tricked Tosca into believing it was a mock execution.

t. Tosca proclaims that Scarpia's treachery has stayed, even in death.

How does Tosca commit suicide?

jumping off a castle. She flees from the guards who have discovered Scarpia dead and jumps off the catle wall (she is there because the jail Cavaradossi was in was at the top).