Tosca

"Tosca" is an opera composed by Giacomo Puccini, known for its intense drama, beautiful arias, and tragic storyline. It is set in Rome during the Napoleonic wars and features the tumultuous events surrounding the opera singer Floria Tosca, her lover Mario Cavaradossi, and the sinister chief of police, Baron Scarpia.

### Key Elements of "Tosca"

- **Plot Overview**: The opera unfolds over three acts, portraying themes of love, jealousy, betrayal, and political intrigue.

  - **Act I**: The opera opens in the Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle, where Mario Cavaradossi is painting a portrait of Mary Magdalene. Angelotti, an escaped political prisoner, hides in the church. Cavaradossi agrees to help him. Tosca, Cavaradossi's lover, arrives and becomes suspicious of Cavaradossi's fidelity due to a fan left by Marchesa Attavanti, who had been posing for the portrait.

  - **Act II**: In Scarpia’s office, Tosca is summoned. Scarpia tries to manipulate Tosca's jealousy and desires her in exchange for sparing Cavaradossi. Tosca sings "Vissi d'arte," expressing her despair. Eventually, Tosca agrees to submit to Scarpia but then kills him with a knife.

  - **Act III**: Cavaradossi awaits execution in the Castel Sant'Angelo. He sings "E lucevan le stelle" while writing a farewell letter to Tosca. Tosca tells him about the fake execution plan, but it turns out to be real. After Cavaradossi is executed, Tosca, pursued by Scarpia’s men, jumps to her death from the castle’s ramparts.

- **Major Characters**:

  - **Floria Tosca**: The titular character, an opera singer known for her passionate nature and intense love for Cavaradossi.

  - **Mario Cavaradossi**: A painter and Tosca’s lover, who is involved in aiding political prisoners.

  - **Baron Scarpia**: The chief of police and the opera’s antagonist, who lusts after Tosca and uses his power to manipulate her.

- **Key Themes**:

  - **Love and Jealousy**: Tosca's intense love for Cavaradossi and her jealousy play central roles in the narrative.

  - **Power and Corruption**: Scarpia's abuse of power and manipulation highlight the themes of political and moral corruption.

  - **Sacrifice and Despair**: Tosca’s sacrifice and her ultimate despair underscore the tragic elements of the story.

### Frequently Mentioned Clues

1. **Aria "Vissi d'arte"**:

   - "The title character of this opera sings that she lived for art in the aria 'Vissi d'arte,' which is followed by the suicide of Angelotti."

   - "This character laments how God has abandoned her in the aria 'Vissi d'arte.'"

   - "Tosca sings 'Vissi d'arte,' expressing her despair."

2. **Death of Scarpia**:

   - "The title character murders Scarpia and meets with her lover in prison."

   - "The title character kills the chief of police Scarpia after getting a letter that ostensibly instructs the firing squad to perform a mock execution."

   - "The title character kills Scarpia after agreeing to submit to him to save her lover."

3. **Final Act and Suicide**:

   - "In the third act, the title character jumps to her death after learning her lover's execution was real."

   - "The title character jumps from a castle and kills herself."

   - "Tosca jumps off the Castel Sant'Angelo after her lover Mario Cavaradossi is executed."

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared In More Than One Toss-up

1. **"Vissi d'arte"**: Tosca sings this aria expressing her despair and confusion about her suffering despite living a life dedicated to art and love.

2. **Scarpia's Death**: Tosca stabs Scarpia in a moment of desperation and revenge after he tries to manipulate and abuse her.

3. **Tosca's Suicide**: The opera concludes with Tosca leaping to her death from the Castel Sant'Angelo after realizing that Scarpia’s promise of a mock execution for Cavaradossi was a lie.

**Fill in the Blanks for Quizbowl Practice**

1. Tosca sings the aria "___1___ d'arte" when expressing her despair.

2. Tosca kills the chief of police, ___2___, after he attempts to manipulate her.

3. The opera concludes with Tosca jumping off the ___3___ Sant'Angelo.

Answers:

1. Vissi

2. Scarpia

3. Castel

Here are the recurring clues, references, or plot lines ordered by frequency:

1. **The title character Tosca's suicide by jumping off the Castel Sant'Angelo** - 22 times

2. **The aria "Vissi d'arte" sung by Tosca** - 21 times

3. **The painter Mario Cavaradossi and his involvement with Tosca** - 19 times

4. **The villainous police chief Baron Scarpia, who is killed by Tosca** - 18 times

5. **The aria "E lucevan le stelle" sung by Cavaradossi** - 14 times

6. **Angelotti, the escaped political prisoner** - 14 times

7. **The aria "Recondita armonia" sung by Cavaradossi comparing Tosca's features to his painting of Mary Magdalene** - 14 times

8. **Tosca's jealousy and suspicion involving the Marchesa Attavanti** - 9 times

9. **The execution of Mario Cavaradossi by a firing squad** - 9 times

10. **The "Te Deum" sung in the first act** - 7 times