While often linked to negative connotations, art works of controversy and their significance tend to stand strong to the test of time. In the case of Tosca, the array of iconic elements and intensity has certainly sought to measure up to that association. Vetted in the public imagination, Tosca’s use of technology and stage management aids the portrayal of a thrilling tale of death, drama, and romance (Synposis). Needless to say, this opera played a large role in the glorification of opera as a powerfully romantic experience.
As I watched Tosca, I must say that I became quite lost at times and had to do further research to interpret the story. As I understand it, the first act consists of a man named Angelotti who escapes from prison and comes to see Cavaradossi, an old friend of his (Synopsis). Cavaradossi is a painter and had been commissioned to paint a picture of the church, and the scene has been made apparent by the elegant background constructed on stage. The tall pillars and beautiful architecture set on stage are a true representation of the style that would have been used in the creation of a church during that time period (Tosca, Wikipedia).
I found it quite interesting that each of the three acts took place in a different location, all of which resembled real locations in Rome at the time. I imagine that this induced some very real feelings for members of the audience, as many may have seen or been to one or more of those places in their lifetime. Furthermore, as I understand it, killing of all main characters was an unusual aspect for any performance during that time; hence, this aspect may have induced some shock, awe, and startling reactions by members of the audience (Tosca, Opera for Everyone).
Clearly valuing the use of technology, the production of Tosca incorporated the use of many props for not just aesthetic value, but for many other purposes. For instance, the signaling of Angelotti’s escape from prison is signaled by the sound of a real cannon – a sound that may not have been heard by members of the audience before attending the opera (Tosca, Opera for Everyone). It is clear that the Tosca was performed with the intention to stimulate belief, and the use of technology in the performance certainly aided in that mission.
Another interesting fact about Tosca is the fact that it depicts a time exactly 100 years before it was written (Tosca, Wikipedia). The opera relies of the historical context that is Napoleon’s reign as the French leader – a time that had likely not been experienced by members of the 1900 audience. Hence, while embodying a tale of romance and powerful emotion, Tosca’s historical significance plays a key role the diversification of an opera’s potential reach. It is clear that this property is one that helped define Tosca as a keynote in the chronology of opera.
As a video game designer, I would say that there is only one way to depict this story, and that would be as an action adventure game played through the perspective of both Angelotti and Cavaradossi. Escaping from jail as Angelotti in the
first level would be an excellent introduction to the game. When watching and reading about the opera, I thought of the game as being an Assassin’s Creed type style. In order to live up to that style, however, it might make sense to add some more daring escapes by Angelotti and some perhaps an epic battle between Cavaradossi and the soldiers who capture and torture him in an effort to learn of Angelotti’s whereabouts.
At the end of the opera, Cavaradossi is sentenced to death because of his aid in the hiding of Angelotti. His lover, the jealous Tosca, is lead to believe that his execution would be faked and that he would be fired at with blanks and pretend to die. She is deceived, however, and the marksmen complete the execution with live bullets. Distraught by this deception, Tosca hurls herself from the balcony and commits suicide. In the video game, perhaps it would make more sense to alter these details and introduce a daring escape for Cavaradossi by which he dodges the execution and scales the building to evade the marksman.
In sum, the Tosca opera is an epic mixed tale of romance, jealousy, death and crime. The use of elegant technology in the form of architecture and props helps to tell the powerful story. Created at the turn of the century, Tosca earned its place as a keynote in the chronology of opera. While the topic of controversy for its grungy subject matter, intensity, and directness, it is certain that the ideology and conceptual significance of the opera have proven to be timeless and everlasting, for many of these riveting aspects have proven to be ever present in modern day performance art.
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