Utah Opera Opens Season With Puccini's TOSCA Tonight

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (Sept. 28, 2015) - Utah Opera takes audiences on a heart-stopping journey of forbidden love, loyalty, betrayal and tragedy in the 2015-16 season opening production of Puccini's "Tosca". The performances, held at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theater, are tonight, October 10, October 12, 14, and 16 at 7:30 PM, then October 18 at 2 PM. Tickets, priced from $18-$89, are available for purchase through www.utahopera.org or by calling (801) 355-2787.

Set in the summer of 1800 in Rome, Italy, the story revolves around fiery, young diva Floria Tosca, sung by soprano Kara Shay Thomson in her Utah Opera debut, who becomes trapped between her allegiance to her rebel lover and the scheming of a vicious police chief who will stop at nothing in his lust for her. The explosive triangle comes to a heart-stopping conclusion in one of opera's most intense dramas, set against the backdrop of exquisitely painted scenic drops by Italian designer Ercole Sormani. Baritone Michael Chioldi returns to Utah Opera as Baron Scarpia following his starring role as Jochanaan in "Salome". Long-time Utah Opera conductor Robert Tweten returns after "Madame Butterfly" to lead the orchestra. Utah Opera's production of "Tosca" also features the Utah Opera main stage directorial debut of Kathleen Clawson, who has collaborated with the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Education department on Utah Opera Resident Artist programming.

Maestro Tweten has been described having "flawless" pacing and "musicality and near-symbiotic accord with singers which always impresses." Opera News raves, "Conductor Robert Tweten led members of the Utah Symphony with sensitivity, putting the spurs to the orchestra to heighten dramatic moments but always with a keen ear for balance and tasteful phrasing." Maestro Tweten is also scheduled to conduct the Dayton Opera for "Madama Butterfly" and Calgary Opera for "Die Zauberflöte" during the 2015-16 season.

Hailed by The New York Times as "a compelling American soprano with a plush, vibrant, powerful voice," Ms. Thomson is reprising the role of Tosca, the lead character in her Utah Opera debut. The songstress has played a part in the story of Tosca previously for Santa Fe Opera, Opera on the James, Sarasota Opera, Opera Delaware, Central City Opera, and Opera North.

.Mr. Chioldi has been critically recognized in debut title roles in Verdi's "Macbeth" with Palm Beach Opera and "Nabucco" with Lyric Opera Baltimore; Conte di Luna in "Il Trovatore" with Utah Opera; and Rodrigo in "Don Carlo" with Austin Lyric Opera. Opera News acclaims Mr. Chioldi for his "warm, rich tone," while the Baltimore Sun recognizes his "deeply communicative phrasing."

The representational sets for "Tosca" were designed and painted by the late, masterful Ercole Sormani. Sormani was the head of an illustrious scenic studio, founded in Milan in 1838. This stunning set has been in high demand and has traveled to productions throughout North America.

The performance will last approximately two hours 25 minutes with two intermissions.

RELATED EVENTS

Utah Opera presents Libretti & Libations, a promotion with eight of Salt Lake City's and Park City's top mixologists offering craft cocktails inspired by the storyline and characters of Puccini's "Tosca" and media partner Salt Lake Magazine. Individuals are encouraged to post photos of the craft cocktails on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag#UtahOperaSips to enter a contest to win a pair of tickets to Puccini's "Tosca". For more details about Libretti & Libations and a complete list of participating restaurants, visitwww.utahopera.org/libations

Salt Lake Culinary School is offering "Italian for a Day" cooking class on Monday, October 5 from 6 to 9 PM, with a menu of Italy's classic regional dishes such as bruschetta, cacciatore, gnocchi, risotto and tiramisu, all inspired by Puccini's Tosca. Enter promo code Opera1005 to get 10% off. To learn more, visit www.saltlakeculinarycenter.com.

Baritone Michael Chioldi will present a free masterclass at the University of Utah School of Music on Friday, October 9, from 2 to 4 PM in the Voice Box building to the east of Gardner Hall on Presidents Circle. The public is welcome to join.

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera's education and community outreach department facilitates an online "learn before you go" series prior to each opera. Online learning materials about "Tosca" have been prepared by Dr. Paul Dorgan of the University of Utah School of Music. Check them out at www.utahopera.org/onlinelearning.

On October 10, Grades 7 through 12 students can attend Utah Opera's final Dress Rehearsal of "Tosca" at the Capitol Theatre through "Opera-tunity" for only $3, $5 for teachers. Visit www.usuoeducation.org/index.php/for-schools/opera-tunities for more information.

Opening night on October 10 will feature a red carpet event where patrons can pose for a free photo. Photos will be posted on the Utah Opera Facebook page, allowing participants the chance to tag themselves during their night out on the town. Visitwww.facebook.com/utahopera for more information. The starting time of the red carpet event is 6:30 PM.

On October 10 as part of its Creative Community initiative audience funded by OPERA America's Building Opera Audiences Grant Program, supported by the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, Utah Opera will host #ArtsElevated, a pre-opera fashion event from 5:30 to 7 PM on the rooftop terrace of the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre. The event will feature a fashion presentation by Farasha Boutique and cocktails by Vida Tequila.www.utahopera.org/watch-listen-learn/creative-community

Utah Opera Principal Coach Carol Anderson will offer an Opera Prelude Lecture, free of charge for ticket holders, in the Capitol Room of Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South) one hour before curtain for each performance.

Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth will hold a Q&A session, free of charge for ticket holders, immediately following each performance in the Capitol Room of Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South).

PROGRAM

Utah Opera Presents
Puccini's "Tosca"
Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre, 50 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101

October 10, 12, 14, 16 | 7:30 PM
October 18 | 2 PM

"Tosca"
by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Opera sung in Italian with English supertitles
Supertitles translated by Kathleen Clawson
World Premiere: Teatro Costanzi in Rome on January 14, 1900
Previous Utah Opera Productions: 2008, 1999, 1992, 1984, 1978

SPONSORS:
Season Sponsor: George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.
Monday performance Sponsor: J. Wong's Asian Bistro
Floral Season Sponsor: Every Blooming Thing
Cast Party Sponsor: Hilton Hotel Salt Lake City

CAST (in order of appearance)
Angelotti Kevin Nakatani
Sacristan Michael Wanko
Mario Cavaradossi Dinyar Vania
Floria Tosca Kara Shay Thomson
Baron Scarpia Michael Chioldi
Sciarrone Tyler Oliphant
Spoletta James Miller
Shepard Boy Chorister of The Madeleine Choir School
Jailer Markel Reed*

ARTISTIC STAFF
Conductor Robert Tweten
Director Kathleen Clawson
Costume Designer Susan Memmott Allred
Lighting Designer Nicholas Cavallaro
Wigs/Make-up Designer Yancey J. Quick
Chorus Master Melanie Malinka
Principal Coach Carol Anderson
Guest Coach Rebecca Pacheco
Fight Choreographer Chris Duval
Stage Manager Amy Soll
Assistant Stage Manager Amber Kewandowski
Supertitle Musician Lindsay Woodward

Set designed by Ercole Sormani, rented from Seattle Opera.

Costumes constructed by Utah Opera Costume Shop.

*Utah Opera Resident Artist

SYNOPSIS

ACT I- The Kingdom of Naples's control of Rome is threatened by Napoleon's invasion of Italy. Political prisoner Cesare Angelotti has bolted from the Neopolitan prison and fled to his sister's private chapel in the Church of San'Andrea della Valle. As an aged Sacristan kneels to pray, Mario Cavaradossi enters the church to continue work on his painting of Mary Magdalene, a portrait which is modeled on the image of lovely Marchesa Attavani, Angelotti's sister. In a fit of reverie the artist compares the blond beauty of Marchesa to his own raven-haired lover, the famous singer Floria Tosca.

When old friends Angelotti and Cavaradossi meet, the escaped prisoner is barely recognizable for the beatings he has endured from Police Chief Scarpia. He hides as Tosca enters the church; she is immediately suspicious and distrustful having spied the painting of Marchesa. Finally she allows Mario to reassure her as to his fidelity and their love.

When Tosca departs, the two old friends and political allies plan that Angelotti will hide in the garden of Cavaradossi's villa. A blast from the cannon at Castel San'Angelo proclaims the prisoner's escape. As the Sacristan goes into the church accompanied by choristers who will sing the Te Deum, the supposition is that Napoleon has been defeated. Now Chief of Police, Baron Scarpia enters, searches, but cannot find Angelotti. Upon the return of Tosca he manipulates her jealousy by slyly encouraging her belief that Mario and Marchesa have formed a relationship. Furious, Tosca departs for Cavaradossi's villa and unwittingly is followed by the police. Scarpa revels in his plan to possess Tosca as the procession sings the Te Deum.

ACT II- Tosca has received a note summoning her to Scarpia's apartment. Frustrated because he has been unable to locate Angelotti, Scarpia has had Cavaradossi arrested, but the artist denies any knowledge of Angelotti. He sees Tosca for a brief moment and cautions her to remain silent as to Angelotti's whereabouts.

Scarpia threatens Tosca and after hearing Cavaradossi's cries of anguish from the torture he is enduring, she reveals Angelotti's hiding place. Now Cavaradossi has been brought before Scarpia; he is furious that Tosca has betrayed Angelotti but rejoices in the next instant when a police officer delivers the news that Napoleon, who for Cavaradossi embodies liberty, equality, and fraternity , has won a significant victory. The artist is returned to prison.

Scarpia proposes to Tosca that he will release Cavaradossi if she submits to him. Tosca cries out to god asking why she must endure such misfortune when she has lived for art and piety. She hears a drum beat announcing the forthcoming execution of her lover. Angelotti has committed suicide and Scarpia, now in total control, tells Tosca he will arrange a feigned execution. She demands a letter confirming this promise and, as Scarpia finishes writing, she seizes a knife, which is lying on the table and plunges it into his neck. Taking the precious letter she then lights candles and drapes a crucifix on Scarpia's body.

ACT III- Shortly before dawn Cavaradossi has been dragged to the battlements of the castle. As he gazes at the stars he is overwhelmed with memories of Tosca and pens a farewell note to her affirming his love. Tosca enters and joyously tells him of the letter she has secured from Scarpia which promises his safe conduct-and that she has killed Scarpia. Cavaradossi praises her fortitude and they rhapsodize about their future together. She instructs him how he should conduct himself during the sham execution by Scarpia's firing squad; he is to remain silent and prostrate as if dead until she signals.

While Cavaradossi is led before the soldiers, Tosca hides; then a volley of bullets strikes her lover. Scarpia, however, has had his revenge and betrayed her. Clutching Cavaradossi's lifeless body, she weeps. As Scarpia's henchmen, having discovered their patron's murder, approach to apprehend her, Tosca evades them and plunges over the parapet to her death.

GUEST ARTIST BIOS

Kara Shay Thomson (Ohio)
Utah Opera Debut, "Tosca"
Recently:
"The Consul", Florida Grand Opera;
"Tosca", Atlanta Opera;
"Fidelio", Kentucky Opera;
"Bluebeard's Castle", Opera Omaha
Upcoming:
"Fidelio", Sarasota Opera

Dinyar Vania (New Jersey)
Utah Opera Debut, "Tosca"
Recently:
"Madama Butterfly", Opera Colorado, Glimmerglass Opera;
"Tosca", Lyric Opera Baltimore;
"Rigoletto", Opera Omaha
Upcoming:
"La Fanciulla del West", Opera Omaha

Michael Chioldi (New York)
Scarpia
Most Recently at Utah Opera, "Salome"
Recently:
"Macbeth", Royal Opera House of Oman;
"Un Giorno di Regno", Odyssey Opera, Boston;
"Ballo in Maschera", Austin Opera
Upcoming:
"Rigoletto", Filarmonia de Jalisco, Guadalajara Mexico;
"Macbeth", Detroit Opera Theater

Kevin Nakatani (California)
Cesare Angelotti
Most Recently at Utah Opera, "Madame Butterfly"
Recently:
"La Bohème", Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre;
"How to Succeed...", Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre;
"Il Barbiere di Siviglia", Opera Idaho

Michael Wanko (Bronx, NY)
Sacristan
Most Recently at Utah Opera, "The Barber of Seville"
Recently:
"The Elixir of Love", Opera on The James;
"The Marriage of Figaro", Austin Lyric Opera;
"The Mikado", Michigan Opera Theatre
Upcoming:
"The Merry Widow", Utah Opera

James Miller (Utah)
Spoletta
Most Recently at Utah Opera, "Salome"
Recently:
"Tosca", Lyrical Opera Theater;
"Madame Butterfly", Lyrical Opera Theater;
"Of Mice and Men", Utah Opera
Upcoming:
"La Bohème", Lyrical Opera Theater

Tyler Oliphant (Utah)
Sciarrone
Most Recently at Utah Opera, "La Traviata"
Recently:
"Tosca", Lyrical Opera Productions;
"La Cenerentola", Utah Lyric Opera Ensemble;
"Madama Butterfly", Intermountain Opera Bozeman
Upcoming:
"La Bohème", Lyrical Opera Productions;

Markel Reed (Charlotte, N.C.)
Utah Opera Debut, Jailer
Recently:
Current Utah Opera Resident Artist;
"Le nozze di Figaro", Bronx Opera;
"Don Giovanni Soo", Opera Theatre
Upcoming:
"Le nozze di Figaro", "The Merry Widow", Utah Opera

ARTISTIC STAFF
Robert Tweten (New Mexico)
Conductor
Most Recently at Utah Opera, "Madame Butterfly"
Recently:
"Lucia di Lammermoor", Edmonton Opera;
"Le nozze di Figaro", Calgary Opera;
"Carmen", Tulsa Opera
Upcoming:
"Madame Butterfly", Dayton Opera;
"The Magic Flute", Calgary Opera

Kathleen Clawson (New Mexico)
Director
Utah Opera Debut
Recently:
"Magic Flute", Dayton Opera;
"Pagliacci/Suor Angelica", Opera Birmingham;
"Noah's Flood", Santa Fe Opera
Upcoming:
"Otello", Dayton Opera
"UnShakeable", Santa Fe Opera

Susan Memmott Allred (Utah)
Costume Designer
Most Recently at Utah Opera, "Cosi Fan Tutte"
Recently:
PBS Christmas special with Mormon Tabernacle Choir 2015
Resident Designer, Utah Opera, 1979-2011;
Mormon Miracle Pageant;
Utah Shakespearean Festival;
Southern Utah State College
Upcoming:
"The Merry Widow", "The Marriage of Figaro", Utah Opera

Yancey J. Quick (Utah)
Wig and Makeup Designer
Most Recently at Utah Opera, "The Rake's Progress"
Recently:
Resident Wig and Makeup Designer, Utah Opera;
Wig Master, Ballet West;
Wig and Makeup Designer, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre

Melanie Malinka (Germany)
Chorus Master
Most Recently at Utah Opera, "Turandot" (children's choir)
Recently:
"Shoes for the Santo Nino", Utah Opera and The Cathedral of the Madeleine;
"The Magic Flute", Utah Opera (preparation of children)
Upcoming:
"L'enfant et les sortileges", Utah Opera (children's choir);
"Noye's Fludde", The Cathedral of the Madeleine

TICKET INFORMATION
Single tickets for the performance range from $18 to $89 ($10 for students and anyone 30 or younger) and can be purchased by phone at (801) 355-2787, in person at the Capitol Theatre ticket office (50 West 200 South) or online by visiting www.utahopera.org. Season subscribers and those desiring group discounts should call (801) 533-6683. Ticket prices are subject to change and will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.

About Utah Opera
Established by Glade Peterson in 1978, Utah Opera has been part of the community for more than 35 years and provides Utah's citizens with distinguished quality productions that showcase emerging and established artists, celebrate traditional works, and champion the American operatic tradition. The opera company presents four annual productions at the historic Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol. Utah Opera operates a full production studio where productions are rehearsed and costumes, props and sets are designed, made, rented out and stored. The opera currently has 17 full sets and costumes for 45 full productions in its inventory. Utah Opera also offers a Resident Artist Program, a nationally recognized young artist training program for professional singers and pianists who perform for more than 65,000 students each year through the organization's education department. For more information, visit www.utahopera.org.

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Season Sponsor for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera is the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.

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