‘Tosca’ on stage Friday at MHS

CT Lyric Opera, CT Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra to perform

MIDDLETOWN >> The Connecticut Lyric Opera with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra will present the ever-popular Italian opera “Tosca” in Middletown’s state-of-the-art MHS Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 26, at 7:30 p.m.

The opera’s music director, Adrian Sylveen, will conduct the orchestra on May 26.

Leading roles will be sung by soprano Frederique Bosz as Floria Tosca, a celebrated singer: tenor Daniel Juarez as Mario Cavaradossi, a painter and Tosca’s lover; and baritone Andrew Potter as the lecherous Chief of Police of Rome.

Other singers include Andrew Potter as Angelotti, Steven Fasano as the sacristan. Terence Fay as Spoletta, David Kennedy as Sciarrone and Danny Juarez as the shepherd boy.

The stage director is Jan Mason and the chorus master is Dara Blackstone.

This premier opera company is being brought by the Greater Middletown Concert Association to Connecticut’s centrally located city of Middletown.

The production is fully staged and professionally performed with English translation sub-titles projected above the stage.

The company also presented “Tosca” at Trinity-on-Main in New Britain on May 12, the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford on May 14 and at the Garde Arts Center in New London on May 20.

“Tosca” is the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and CT Lyric Opera’s final opera production of its 2016-17 performance season.

“Tosca” is a dramatically gripping opera by Giacomo Puccini, who also composed favorites such as “La Boheme” and “Madama Butterfly.”

It has an intricately tragic story set to Puccini’s supremely beautiful and electrifying music. Based on Victorien Sardou’s play, “La

Tosca”, written for the famous actress Sarah Bernhardt, it was first performed in 1900 and became an instant success.

Tickets may be purchased by calling 860 343-7555 or 860 346-3369. Prices are $40 (front section) and $35 (rear section).

All major credit cards are accepted. Tickets will be available at the door. For details go to www. GreaterMiddletownConcerts.org.