Terme di Caracalla - Tosca Aug 5th, 2011

the gorgeous Roman ruins of the Baths of Caracalla

The baths, the setting for the Rome Summer Opera Series

and the side where the sun wasn't setting! (How does that happen?)

Tosca - Act 1 in the Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle, Rome. Sets were wonderful as was Tosca's voice.

At the end of Act 1 when half of Rome was on stage singing the "Te Deum". Very colorful.  quote of the evening: "No wonder I couldn't find a parking space". (attributed to clever Vladimir).

Act II- In the Palazzo Farnese. Tosca and Mario, the lovers.

Pretty cool rendition of the Palazzo Farnese and the Carracci frescoes

Act III- Castel Sant'Angelo, the angel sculpture atop the Castel. Was on stage for the entire performance. Quite striking.

Angel, in situ, of the baths

Final bow - the firing squad who killed Mario. Would love to have caught a shot of Tosca as she flings herself over the Castle's wall but I'm not that quick.

A lovely Friday evening with friends (and not dreadfully hot), spent at the Terme di Caracalla to see the opera Tosca and listen to the music of Puccini.  All 6 of us enjoyed the performance and well worth the (cheap) price of admission.  Lovely music, very good voices, fun sets who could ask for more?