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Sferisterio
Tosca
Opera at Sferisterio, Macerata
Tuesday
7th August 2008 at 9.00
Real
Life
Stephanie
and Nigel Robbins wrote:
"Italy,
Macerata, Sferisterio, August 8th, a hot, balmy, summer’s
night, La Tosca – all the ingredients for a wonderful evening.
A magical night of splendid music and drama which we will remember
for ever.
We
had never visited Sferisterio before, so we had little idea of the
magnificence of the venue, the balconies lit up on two sides and the arena
open to the sparkling stars. The huge stage was the setting for this spectacular
performance of ‘Tosca’, well known to all opera lovers.
This
performance exploited the splendour of the venue, with sumptuous costumes,
stunning set and lighting. But
of course, it was the singing that captivated the audience, especially the
outstanding singing of the eponymous heroine of the opera, Tosca,
(Raffaella Angeletti), whose beautiful voice resonated throughout.
There were moments of poignant quietness, where the clarity of her
voice rang out in an auditorium where you could hear a pin drop, to
moments of extraordinary passion and vibrancy; we were entranced and cared
desperately for her dire predicament.
Scarpia
(Claudio Sgura) was also outstanding, and utterly believable in his quiet
power and control – a hero whose charm was plain and tempting (his
henchmen did all his dirty work for him), so it was with mixed feelings
that we witnessed Tosca plunge the knife into him.
As always, the hero, Caradavossi, was harder to portray
convincingly, but the part was admirably played and sung by Luca Lombardo.
This
production gripped the audience’s attention throughout and explored the
full range of human emotion.
We
are tremendously grateful to the generosity of Paradise Possible, who did
indeed, make it all possible for us – an experience to treasure for ever.
Stephanie and Nigel Robbins"
[Photography
and writing by Stephanie Robbins, 7th August 2008]
Tosca
Melodramma
in 3 atti di Giacomo Puccini, su libretto di L.Illica e G.Giacosa, dal
dramma omonimo del 1887 di V.Sardou.
Vissi
d'arte, vissi d'amore...
[Tosca,
II Atto]
Vissi
d'arte, vissi d'amore,
Non feci mai male ad anima viva!
Con man furtiva
Quante miserie conobbi, aiutai.
Sempre con fe' sincera
La mia preghiera
Ai santi Tabernacoli salì,
Sempre con fe' sincera
Diedi fiori agli altar.
Nell'ora del dolore perché Signore,
Perché me ne remuneri così?
Diedi gioielli
Della Madonna al manto,
E diedi il canto agli astri, al ciel,
Che ne ridean più belli.
Nell'ora del dolor
Perché Signore,
Perché me ne remuneri così?
E
lucean le stelle...
[Mario
Cavaradossi, III atto]
E lucean le stelle...
e olezzava la terra...
stridea l'uscio dell'orto...
e un passo sfiorava la rena.
Entrava ella, fragrante,
mi cadea tra le braccia.
Oh dolci baci, o languide carezze,
mentr'io fremente
le belle forme disciogliea dai veli!
Svanì per sempre
il sogno mio d'amore...
L'ora è fuggita,
e muoio disperato...
e muoio disperato...
E non ho amato mai tanto la vita!
Tanto la vita...
Tanto la vita...
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