Love and betrayal on stage
Festival now has 46 years of history Operatic classic performed in Italian at festival
Perth Festival turns 46 this year making it one of Scotland’s oldest, continuously running arts festivals.
Every year is a big year for the festival team, with well known names packing Perth Concert English Touring Opera will thrill Perth with its new production of Puccini’s 1900 opera, Tosca, during Perth Festival of the Arts.
Performed in Italian, with atmospheric sets and period costumes, on May 18, there will unfurl a story of love and betrayal in a time of tyrannical despots.
It tackles the oppression of women and the choices faced by central character, the desirable but totally unpredictable Floria Tosca.
ETO’s lavish rendition of the passionate Italian masterpiece is being conducted by musical director, Michael Rosewell and directed by Blanche McIntyre.
The award-winning director has made waves with her recent theatre work for RSC, but this is her first opera.
According to artistic director James Conway, Tosca is an excellent work that cannot fail to intrigue and thrill all those who watch. Hall night after night.
So building on that to make it bigger and better is no mean feat - yet the those behind the fest have managed to squeeze in massive names and something to suit everyone yet again.
Our special pullout gives people a taste of things to come - from Justin Currie, Tosca, Nicola Benedetti, Marcus Brigstocke and not forgetting Jools Holland and Dundee’s The View - prepare to be entertained.
“I’d honestly say that anyone who experiences Tosca and doesn’t have their head and heart turned really needs to see a psychiatrist!
“This is a great first opera to experience and anyone going should think about bringing someone new to it with them.
“Act I introduces the bad guy Scarpia. So often this character is overplayed, but in Craig Smith - who has a beautiful voice - it is wisely presented, the malice is more subtly portrayed.
“After all, bad people don’t tend to advertise the fact they are so. With this Scarpia, the audience gets to have the feelings,” explained James.
“And Act II is a truly perfect act of opera. We have this amazing scene where Tosca has to decide if she will submit and sleep with this horrible man to save her boyfriend or will she keep her dignity.
“Then she sees an opportunity, the glint of a fruit knife...
“What I admire is these are not political experts, these are normal, innocent people who don’t know how to operate in the setting of high stakes intrigue.”
While in Perth for the Festival of the Arts, ETO is taking time out with local school children.
Youngsters from Perth’s Jamboree Choir and Cabaret Singers are to make their stage debut in Tosca.
Twelve children, aged between eight and 12 years old have been rehearsing with the assistance of English Touring Opera’s education team.
The children make a spooky appearance in Act I, dressed as 19th century choristers, as part of a sombre procession across the town.
No doubt taking part in a professional production, singing and acting with a live orchestra will be an unforgettable experience for the enthusiastic local group.
Fairview School for children with special needs is also benefiting from Twelve youngsters from Perth and Kinross will be part of Puccini’s Tosca at Perth Concert Hall ETO’s Fair City visit. A specially commissioned new opera called ‘Different’ is coming to their school.
It’s about some twins, their dog and a stranger who appoaches their home in a tented camp. Although initially suspicious of the strange woman, all of the characters find ways to overcome fear, ask for help and to give support to each other.
James said: “This one-to-one experience we offer with specially trained staff has been reported by the children’s carers to have a profound effect.
“It can be seen as a change on their faces, I think this interaction can really be an awakening and is a very special aspect of what ETO does.”
Tosca is performed at Perth Concert Hall on May 18 at 7.30pm.