The Kentucky Opera opens Puccini’s tragedy “Tosca” this week. The company will begin its 60th anniversary season with Friday’s gala performance in the Brown Theatre, accompanied by the Louisville Orchestra.Soprano Kara Shay Thomson returns to the Kentucky Opera stage to sing the role of Floria Tosca, an opera singer in love with Cavaradossi (Jon Burton), an artist who runs afoul of the law when he shelters an escaped political prisoner. The lovers’ bond is threatened by Scarpia (Michael Chioldi), the corrupt police chief who offers to commute Cavaradossi’s execution in exchange for Tosca’s love.Listen to musical excerpts from the show. Puccini's enduring tragedy is consistently ranked in the top ten operas performed around the world. “'Tosca' continues to enthrall opera fans as it easily engages new audiences to opera with its powerful drama and passionate score,” says director David Roth.First performed in 1900, the story is set in 1800 Rome, which was occupied by the kingdom of Naples and facing invasion from Napoleon's army. It's a story of passion and loyalty, but also murder, revenge and torture. “Seldom does one find a tragedy where all principal characters fail to be standing when the curtain comes down at the end,” says Roth. “Tosca” runs through September 28.
