Tosca Was To Be April 11, 2020, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast

Summary: Puccini’s Tosca was to be the April 11, 2020, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast, airing as 19th in the season’s 23 radio matinees.

In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Anna Netrebko reprises her role debut as Met Opera’s Tosca from the 2017-2018 Met Opera season: Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook April 4, 2018

Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca was to be the April 11, 2020, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast, airing at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and numbering as the 19th of the season’s 23 radio matinees.

Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini (Dec. 22, 1858-Nov. 29, 1924) set his musical score for Tosca to an Italian libretto co-written by Italian librettist and playwright Giuseppe Giacosa (Oct. 21, 1847-Sept. 1, 1906) and Italian librettist Luigi Illica (May 9, 1857-Dec. 16, 1919). Giacosa and Illica based their libretto upon La Tosca by 19th century French playwright Victorien Sardou (Sept. 5, 1831-Nov. 8, 1908). Sardou specifically wrote his five-act drama for French stage actress Sarah Bernhardt (Oct. 22/23?, 1844-March 26, 1923).

Sardou’s La Tosca premiered Nov. 24, 1887, at Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, located at 18, boulevard Saint-Martin, in the 10th Parisian arrondissment (10e arrondissement de Paris). La Tosca’s premiere took place in the theatre’s second building, which had reopened Sept. 28, 1873. A fire had destroyed the first building on May 25, 1871, during the Paris Commune revolt (March 18-May 28, 1871).

Puccini’s Tosca premiered Sunday, Jan. 14, 1900, at Teatro Costanzi in Rome, Italy. The theatre, now known as Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and simplified as Teatro dell'Opera, is located on Piazza Beniamino Gigli in central Rome.

The Metropolitan Opera hosted the United States premiere of Tosca on Feb. 4, 1901. Tosca received seven performances in the 1900-1901 season.

The 2019-2020 Met Opera season offers seven performances of Tosca. The season’s first performance took place Thursday, March 26, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The month’s second performance happened Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m.

Five performances are scheduled in April. The month’s performances began Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. April’s four remaining performances take place Sunday, April 5, at 3 p.m.; Saturday matinee broadcast, April 11, at 1 p.m.; Wednesday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m.; and closing night, Saturday, April 18, at 8 p.m.

Update: The Metropolitan Opera announced via Facebook Thursday, March 12, 2020, the cancellation of the rest of the 2019-2020 season due to the Covid-19 virus pandemic. The Metropolitan Opera Archives Database (MetOpera Database) entry of March 12, 2020, noted the cancellation of 58 performances. Operas affected by the cancellation were identified as La Bohème, La Cenerentola, Così Fan Tutte, Der Fliegende Holländer, Kát'a Kabanová, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Maria Stuarda, Simon Boccanegra, Tosca, La Traviata, Turandot and Werther.

Update: The opera company's coronavirus-occasioned closure affected all performances of Tosca scheduled for the 2019-2020 season. The opera was not performed in the 2019-2020 season.

The three-act opera has an estimated run time of 2 hours 57 minutes. Act I runs for 45 minutes. An intermission of 32 minutes follows. Act II is estimated at 43 minutes. The performance’s second intermission, estimated at 30 minutes, precedes Act III. The final act spans 27 minutes.

Bertrand de Billy had been scheduled to conduct six (Thursday, March 26; Sunday, March 29; Thursday, April 2; Sunday, April 5; Saturday matinee broadcast, April 11; Wednesday, April 15) of the season’s seven performances of Tosca. The French conductor made his Metropolitan Opera debut March 16, 1998, in the opera company’s 294th performance of Roméo et Juliette by French composer Charles-François Gounod (June 17, 1818-Oct. 18, 1893). In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Bertrand de Billy also conducts La Traviata by 19th-century Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901).

Derrick Inouye had been scheduled to conduct closing night’s performance, Saturday, April 18. The Canadian-born conductor made his Metropolitan Opera debut Dec. 18, 2003, in the opera house’s fifth performance of Benvenuto Cellini by French Romantic composer Hector Berlioz (Dec. 11, 1803-March 8, 1869).

Anna Netrebko had been scheduled to appear in the title role as impassioned, impetuous Tosca in the season’s first five performances (Thursday, March 26; Sunday, March 29; Thursday, April 2; Sunday, April 5; Saturday matinee broadcast, April 11). The Russian operatic soprano reprises her role debut as Met Opera’s Tosca from the 2017-2018 season. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut Feb. 14, 2002, as Natasha Rostova in the opera company’s premiere of War and Peace by Soviet composer, conductor and pianist Sergei Prokofiev (April 23, 1891-March 5, 1953). During the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Anna Netrebko appears as Lady Macbeth in Verdi’s Macbeth and performs as Puccini’s Mimì, Tosca and Turandot in the New Year’s Eve Gala.

Jennifer Rowley had been scheduled to appear in the title role for the season’s last two performances (Wednesday, April 15; Saturday, April 18). The American soprano’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened March 19, 2014, as Musetta during the opera company’s 1,251st performance of Puccini’s La Bohème. In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Jennifer Rowley reprises her debut role as La Bohème’s Musetta.

Najmiddin Mavlyanov had been scheduled to appear opposite Anna Netrebko as Cavaradossi in the season’s first three performances (Thursday, March 26; Sunday, March 29; Thursday, April 2). The Ukbekistani tenor’s appearance opening night marked his Metropolitan Opera debut.

Brian Jagde had been scheduled to appear as Cavaradossi, Tosca’s doomed lover, in the season’s last four performances (Sunday, April 5; Saturday matinee broadcast, April 11; Wednesday, April 15; Saturday, April 18). The American operatic tenor made his Metropolitan Opera debut April 3, 2014, as Count Elemer in the opera company’s 53rd performance of Arabella by German late Romantic and early modern composer Richard Strauss (June 11, 1864-Sept. 8, 1949).

George Ganidze had been scheduled to appear as Tosca’s nemesis, Scarpia, in five performances (Thursday, March 26; Sunday, March 29; Thursday, April 2; Wednesday, April 15; Saturday, April 18). The Georgian operatic baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Jan. 27, 2009, as Rigoletto in the opera company’s 817th performance of Verdi's Rigoletto.

Michael Volle had been scheduled to appear as Scarpia in two performances (Sunday, April 5; Saturday matinee broadcast, April 11). The German baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut April 3, 2014, as Mandryka in the opera company’s 53rd performance of Strauss’ Arabella.

Patrick Carfizzi had been scheduled to appear in the season’s first five performances (Thursday, March 26; Sunday, March 29; Thursday, April 2; Sunday, April 5; Saturday matinee broadcast, April 11) as the Sacristan, who informs Scarpia of Cavaradossi’s presence in the Church of St. Andrew of the Valley, suspected hideout of escaped political prisoner Cesare Angelotti. The American bass-baritone made his Metropolitan Opera debut Dec. 24, 1999, as Count Ceprano in the opera company’s 736th performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto. During the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Patrick Carfizzi also appears as the Speaker in The Magic Flute by 18th century Classical Era composer Wolfgang Mozart (Jan. 27, 1756-Dec. 5, 1791); Brander in Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust; and as the Sacristan in the New Year’s Eve Gala.

Philip Cokorinos had been scheduled to appear as the Sacristan in the season’s last two performances (Wednesday, April 15; Saturday, April 18). The American operatic bass made his Met Opera first appearance, performing Osmin’s Act II aria from Mozart’s unfinished Zaide, in the National Council Concert at the opera house April 14, 1985. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut Jan. 7, 1988, as the Physician in the opera company’s 71st performance of Verdi’s Macbeth. In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Philip Cokorinos also had been scheduled to perform as Johann in Werther by French Romantic Era composer Jules Massenet (May 12, 1842-Aug. 13, 1912).

The 2019-2020 Met Opera season’s presentation of Tosca would have marked the opera house’s second revival of staging by Sir David McVicar. The Scottish opera and theatre director’s staging debuted as a new production Dec. 31, 2017, in the opera company’s 951st performance of Tosca. The production’s first revival took place in the 2018-2019 season.

Sir David’s production team comprises set and costume designer John Macfarlane and lighting designer David Finn. Leah Hausman is the production’s movement director.

The takeaway for Tosca as the April 11, 2020, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast is that Puccini’s tragedy of love and opposition would have aired as the 19th of 23 weekly radio broadcasts.

The 2019-2020 Met Opera season marks the second revival of Sir David McVicar’s Tosca staging, which debuted as a new production in the 2017-2018 Met Opera season: Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook Aug. 15, 2017

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

In the 2019-2020 Met Opera season, Anna Netrebko reprises her role debut as Met Opera’s Tosca from the 2017-2018 Met Opera season: Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook April 4, 2018, @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/posts/10160382308255533

The 2019-2020 Met Opera season marks the second revival of Sir David McVicar’s Tosca staging, which debuted as a new production in the 2017-2018 Met Opera season: Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook Aug. 15, 2017, @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/pcb.10159305988975533/10159305983285533/

For further information:

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Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=350848

“Debut: George Gagnidze.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 352823 Rigoletto {817} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/27/2009.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=352823

“Debuts: Alfred Walker, Bertrand de Billy.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 330528 Roméo et Juliette {294} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/16/1998.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=330528

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Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355378

“Debuts: Anna Netrebko . . . .” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] Metropolitan Opera Premiere CID: 350257 War and Peace {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/14/2002.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=350257

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Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=291090

“Debuts: Michael Volle, Catherine Wyn-Rogers. . .” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355411 Arabella {53} Metropolitan Opera House: 04/03/2014.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355411

“Debuts: Patrick Carfizzi, Gloria Watson, Vladimir Jurowski.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 332264 Rigoletto {736} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/24/1999.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=332264

“First Appearance: Philip Cokorinos . . .” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 350566 National Council Concert. Matinee ed. Metropolitan Opera House: 04/14/1985.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=350566

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/04/kata-kabanova-is-may-2-2020-met-opera.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "La Cenerentola Was To Be March 21, 2020, Met Opera Saturday Broadcast." Earth and Space News. Monday, March 16, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/03/orfeo-ed-euridice-is-april-4-2020-met.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/01/tosca-is-jan-27-2018-met-opera-saturday.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/04/tosca-is-april-6-2019-met-opera.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Werther Was To Be March 28, 2020, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast." Earth and Space News. Monday, March 23, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/03/werther-is-march-28-2020-met-opera.html

The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. "In light of the circumstances involving the coronavirus and in consultation with the Office of the Mayor of New York City, we regret to inform our audience that all Met performances have been canceled through March 31, including tonight’s planned performance of La Cenerentola. This Saturday’s Live in HD cinema presentation of Der Fliegende Holländer has also been canceled. Thank you for your understanding. Learn More: www.metopera.org/updates." Facebook. March 12, 2020.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/10163327604920533

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Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/posts/10160382308255533

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