One of the most captivating opera singers of our time, the Russian-Austrian soprano Anna Netrebko, opens the two-month run on Wednesday 13 January, in the title role as Floria Tosca, an opera singer who attracts the unwanted attentions of an evil chief of police.
The production will also be live streamed for audiences across the globe on Friday 22 January and on demand for 30 days. It costs £16 to view.
The starry opening night on 13 January, conducted by Dan Ettinger, features Azerbaijani tenor Yusif Eyvazov as Tosca's lover, the painter Mario Cavaradossi, and audience favourite bass-baritone Gerald Finley as the predatory Scarpia. This cast, with Netrebko, performs again on 16, 19 and 22 January.
Kent's production, with Paul Brown's evocative designs, conjures up both the grandeur and the corruption of Rome in 1800. As the Royal Opera House goes to great lengths to protect its artists, crews and audience, there are some changes to the original, large-scale production.
Bass-baritone Gerald Finley is sinister as the conniving chief of police Scarpia. Photo: Catherine Ashmore
On 15, 18, 21 and 23 January, Spanish soprano Saioa Hernández will sing the title role, with South Korean tenor Yonghoon Lee reviving the role of Cavaradossi in which he made his Royal Opera debut in the 2012/13 Season. Lithuanian bass-baritone Kostas Smoriginas, a former member of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme, will perform the role of Baron Scarpia.
As Tosca returns to Covent Garden on 4, 8, 10 and 13 March, British conductor Alexander Soddy will make his ROH debut conducting Swedish soprano Malin Byström, British-Italian tenor Freddie De Tommaso, who makes his role debut as Cavaradossi, and German baritone Michael Volle.
The three casts are joined by the Royal Opera Chorus, former and current members of the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
Oliver Mears, director of opera of the Royal Opera House, says: 'Tosca also features some of the most passionate music in the repertory, performed here by a dazzling collection of local and international stars. Classic opera at Covent Garden is back.'
Tosca is sung in Italian with English surtitles. General booking opens at 10AM on Tuesday 22 December
| What | Tosca, Royal Opera House: live and online |
| Where | Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Covent Garden (underground) |
| When |
13 Jan 21 – 13 Mar 21, 12 live performances, times vary; streamed on 22 Jan |
| Price | £10-£220 |
| Website | Click here for more information and booking |
