Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Ilica

Based on Victorien Sardu's play "Tosca"

First performance - 14 January 1900, Teatro Constanzi, Rome.

First performance in Bulgaria - 10 June 1925 at the Sofia Opera, conducted by Yuri Pomerantsev and directed by Hristo Popov.

First performance in Ruse - 15 October 1952. Conductor - Mikhail Lefterov, director - Mikhail Hadjimishev, artist - Ani Hadjimisheva, choirmaster - Nikolai Nikolaev.

Short synopsis:

First act

In the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome, Cesare Angelotti has escaped from prison. In the free Roman Republic, he had been a consul, but he was imprisoned by the current dictator of Rome, Baron Scarpia.

The exhausted revolutionary enters the empty church and hides in the family chapel. There, his sister, the Marchesa Attavanti, has hidden some clothes so the fugitive can disguise himself and easily evade his pursuers. At that moment, the old sacristan enters the church. Having heard a noise, he thinks the artist Mario Cavaradossi is inside. He looks around everywhere but does not find him. The ringing of the bells interrupts the sacristan’s work for prayer.

Cavaradossi arrives to continue his work — a portrait of Mary Magdalene. The sacristan notices that the painting closely resembles a beautiful lady who has recently been visiting the church frequently. The artist admits that his model was not only his beloved Tosca, but also this mysterious beauty. The sacristan is scandalized that Cavaradossi uses real people as models for portraits of saints. He shows him the basket of food he brought for his lunch and then leaves.

The artist continues his work, and Angelotti emerges from his hiding place. The two are like-minded and friends, and now Cavaradossi again readily promises Angelotti his support. Tosca's voice is heard. Cavaradossi gives Angelotti the basket of food and makes him hide again.

Tosca is filled with jealousy and suspicion — she has just heard Mario speaking; where has that woman gone? Her jealousy intensifies when she sees the portrait of Mary Magdalene, which strongly resembles the Marchesa Attavanti. Tosca insists that the artist paint the portrait’s eyes black, like her own. Cavaradossi manages to calm her down. Soon after, she leaves.

Angelotti emerges from his hiding place. A cannon shot is heard, signaling his escape. Cavaradossi offers to hide him in his villa, and the two leave the church together.

The sacristan returns, overjoyed by the news that Napoleon has been defeated. The children from the church choir enter, making noise and laughing, while the sacristan tries to tell them about Napoleon’s downfall and how a cantata will be performed that evening, featuring the famous singer Floria Tosca. The children play and dance around the sacristan.

Suddenly, Baron Scarpia - the dictator of Rome - bursts into the church, accompanied by his trusted agent Spoletta. Scarpia is furious over Angelotti’s escape. The trail has led him to the church. The frightened children scatter, while Scarpia orders the sacristan to stay and show him where the Attavanti family chapel is. He is surprised to see that its door is open. Inside, Scarpia finds the Marchesa’s fan. The basket that the sacristan had left for Cavaradossi is also there - but it’s empty. Scarpia notices the unfinished painting and realizes that the painter Cavaradossi had been in the church while the fugitive was hiding. He decides to accuse him of aiding Angelotti and to have him arrested—this way, he can keep him away from Tosca. Scarpia has long been infatuated with her.

Tosca arrives. She wants to inform Cavaradossi that she won’t be able to meet him that evening, as she will be performing the solo in the cantata celebrating the defeat of Napoleon. Instead of Cavaradossi, however, she finds Scarpia in the church. He tries to stir her jealousy by pointing out the resemblance between the portrait and the Marchesa Attavanti, and by showing her the Marchesa’s fan. Overcome with jealousy, Tosca rushes off to surprise Cavaradossi and catch him in the act of betrayal. Scarpia orders her to be followed. People begin gathering in the church for the solemn Te Deum.

Second act

Scarpia’s office. Sciarrone opens the windows, and the enchanting sounds of the cantata and Tosca’s voice drift in from outside. Scarpia hands Sciarrone a letter to deliver to the singer, informing her that he will be waiting for her after the concert.

Soon Sciarrone returns and announces that Spoletta has arrived. Spoletta enters and reports that they could not find Angelotti anywhere, but they have arrested Cavaradossi. His behavior clearly suggests that he knows where the fugitive is hiding. Scarpia orders the painter to be brought in. He accuses him of sheltering Angelotti and giving him food, but Cavaradossi firmly denies all charges. Outside, the cantata grows louder and louder. This agitates Scarpia, and he closes the windows. Once again, he demands to know Angelotti’s whereabouts, but Cavaradossi insists he knows nothing.

At that moment, Tosca arrives. She rushes into Cavaradossi’s arms, but Scarpia orders that he be taken away for interrogation and torture until he reveals the fugitive’s whereabouts. Soon, Tosca hears his cries of agony. In her hands lies his salvation - she must reveal Angelotti’s hiding place. Tosca refuses with all her strength, but after another agonizing scream from Cavaradossi, she breaks - Angelotti is hidden in the well in the garden. The torture stops, and the half-conscious Cavaradossi is brought back into the room. Tosca assures him that she hasn’t said a word, but at that moment, Scarpia sends Spoletta to the garden well. Realizing Tosca has betrayed the secret, Cavaradossi curses her with bitter despair.

At that moment, Sharone hurriedly enters with alarming news - it turns out that the news about Napoleon’s defeat was false. At Marengo, he actually won the battle. This unexpected turn deeply unsettles the dictator Scarpia. Encouraged by the good news, Cavaradossi finds new strength and boldly hurls angry accusations and threats at Scarpia. Enraged, Scarpia orders him to be taken away again.

Now Scarpia has a new proposal for Tosca – only she can save her beloved. But the price he demands is not measured in money – he wants her love. She is disgusted by the offer.

Spoletta arrives and reports that during the arrest of Angelotti, he committed suicide. Scarpia becomes even more enraged and declares that there can be no other fate for Cavaradossi except to be killed. Tosca’s only way out is to accept Scarpia’s proposal. Delighted, he assures her that he will keep his word and save Cavaradossi, although he can no longer cancel the death sentence. He will order that Cavaradossi be executed with blank cartridges, as was done before with Palmieri. Scarpia also writes a permit allowing her to leave Rome with whomever accompanies her. He signs the permit and moves towards Tosca – at last, she is his! But at that moment, Tosca unexpectedly stabs the dictator in the chest. He calls out for help in vain and soon falls dead.

Third act

Early morning on the terrace of Castel Sant'Angelo. The enchanting song of a shepherd boy comes through.

A group of soldiers brings Cavaradossi for execution. His last wish is to write a farewell letter to Tosca. As he writes, he recalls the most beautiful moments of the life he loves so much but must now leave behind.

Unexpectedly, Tosca arrives carrying the permit stamped by Scarpia. Cavaradossi is filled with doubt, as this is the first mercy Scarpia has ever shown. Tosca tells him that it will also be his last mercy. After explaining everything to him, she warns him - not to get up immediately after the execution but to wait until the soldiers have left. The time for the execution arrives. The soldiers come, aim their rifles, and fire, and Cavaradossi falls so theatrically, as if truly killed.

The moment has come for the two lovers to leave, to depart from Rome with the help of the permit and start a new, happy life. Tosca tells Mario that they can now get up and hurry away. He doesn’t respond. She moves closer and, with horror, realizes that he is truly dead.

At that moment, the shouts of Spoletta and Scarpia are heard - they have discovered Scarpia’s murder and are coming to capture Tosca. She refuses to fall into their hands. The edge of the fortress wall is near. Before they can seize her, Tosca throws herself into the abyss from the high fortress.