December 19, 2010: Tosca in Oslo

2010-12-19 Tosca (G. Puccini), Den Norske Opera & Ballett

Floria Tosca = Maria Guleghina
Mario Cavaradossi = Miroslav Dvorsky
Scarpia = Greer Grimsley
Sakristanen = Ketil Hugaas
Angelotti = Yngve André Søberg
Sciarrone = Andreas Franzén
Spoletta = David Fielder
Fangevokter = Øystein Skre
Gjetergutt = Henrik Enger Holm
Dommer = Steinar Zahl
Roberti = Øivind Solberg

John Helmer Fiore, conductor

Regie - Paul Curran
Scenography / costumes - Kevin Knight
Light design - David Jacques
Cooperation with Canadian Opera Company

Music Giacomo Puccini
Libretto: Giuseppe Giacosa og Luici Illica

Cooperation with Canadian Opera Company.

This production premiered by Canadian Opera Company 26. January 2008, Norwegian National Opera 26. August 2010.

On December 19th, 2010 it was matinee at 1500. It was Maria Guleghina first time as Tosca at Norwegian National Opera, Oslo. It was the fourth time for me since I have earlier seen her as Tosca at Vienna State Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin and Opernhaus Zurich.

I loved the production by regisseur Paul Curran. It was as historical as an opera can be. I sat on right so I could not seen the whole stage but that did not prevent me from enjoying this Tosca. Paul Curran used minor characters and statists to liven up things but never at the expense of the opera.

Maria Guleghina was the perfect Tosca even though she sometimes sang too quietly but I always felt she did it to be true to the person she acted. Miroslav Dvorsky sang and acted a fine Cavaradossi. It was sad that the conductor only stopped the music for applause for the aria in the first act and not for the 3rd act bacause his E lucevan le stelle was really great where Recondita armornia he was more like he was still warming up a bit. The audience really yearned to applaud so it applauded Maria Guleghina and Miroslav Dvorsky in the middle of their 3rd act duet.

The applause for Recondita armonia seemed to be an automatic response to the conductor pausing the orchestra. The act 1 duet applause came more from the heart of the audience. But the applause after Vissi d'arte had the feeling of the audience going wild for Maria Guleghina, and the applause after the opera was "endless".

Greer Grimsley was Baron Scarpia. Just perfect. Maybe too perfect. Or maybe I have seen too many Tosca performance. The chorus, orchestra, statists and the other singers were also wonderful. Paul Curran must be so proud. Maria Guleghina clearly loved the production and Paul Curran.

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