CHICAGO—“Tosca” debuted in 1900 in Rome and immediately became one of the most popular operas of all time, which it continues to be into our contemporary age. With its drama of good versus evil, fast-paced suspense, and a melodramatic plot that’s as much a thriller as a Hitchcock film, it’s no wonder that it still has the power to capture the public’s imagination.
Spectacular Production
Indeed, this new-to-Chicago production of “Tosca” is the highlight of the Lyric Opera season. That’s because director Louisa Muller did not succumb to reimagining the opera to fit modern unconventional sensibilities and kept faithful to the classic. She realized that trying to fit the work into a modern framework would, as it often does, compromise the opera’s force and its composer’s vision. Thankfully this production keeps to its traditional production values, which have been enhanced by a compelling ensemble of performers and talented designers.
Russell Thomas as Cavaradossi in the Lyric Operation production of "Tosca." Cory Weaver
