Tosca
Basic information
The National Theatre
Approximate running time2 hours 20 minutes, 1 intermission
LanguageIn Italian, Czech, English subtitles
PremiereJanuary 28, 2017
Puccini saw in Florence a performance of La Tosca, an acclaimed play by the French author Victorien Sardou, an engrossing melodrama about love and hate, passion and death, against the backdrop of political intrigues and the struggle for freedom and independence, written for the famous actress Sarah Bernhardt, who, according to the period testimonies, dazzled in the lead role. Even though the critics castigated Sardou’s play for containing excessive violence, the audience loved it, and Puccini was no exception.
Cast
- 2019-2020
- 2020-2021
Creatives
About
State Opera Orchestra
Chorus Kühn's children choir, choirmaster: Jiří Chvála
The premiere of the opera, on 14 January 1900 at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome, was a resounding success. Although some scorned it, including Gustav Mahler, who refused to conduct it, referring to the work as a “Meistermachwerk” (sham masterpiece), and Richard Strauss, who dismissed it in even harsher terms, the opera was admired by Claude Debussy, Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schönberg.
Today, the opera-thriller about the diva Tosca, her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, and the malicious police chief Baron Scarpia, set in 1800 in Rome during the time of Napoleonic wars, is one of the most popular operas worldwide.
Puccini’s Tosca was first staged in Bohemia by the National Theatre in Prague, on 21 November 1903. The next year, on 8 September 1904, the opera was performed at the New German Theatre and has ever since been a permanent part of the repertoire on the stage of what is now the State Opera.
The most recent production, premiered on 7 June 1999 at the State Opera Prague, revitalised Josef Svoboda’s legendary sets dating from the period of the Fifth of May Grand Opera (1947). The renowned French director Arnaud Bernard has been invited to stage the new production of Tosca.
Intervals after Act I and II. Approximate running time, including intermissions: 3 hours, two 20-minute intermissions
Photo and video gallery
Practical information
Where to buy tickets
When purchasing online, we will send you an E-ticket by e-mail. You can pick up printed tickets in person at any of our box offices.
Parking
Kotva department store (Revoluční 1/655, Prague 1), then walk along Králodvorská street to Ovocný trh.
Palladium department store (Na Poříčí 1079/3a, Prague 1), then walk along Králodvorská street to Ovocný trh, or to the Powder Gate through Celetná street to Ovocný trh.
because the car park under the National Theater is closed for reconstruction since April 14th 2020.
What to wear?
By their appearance, attire and behaviour, the audience is obliged to adhere to the accustomed practice expected from them when attending a theatre performance.
Buffets at the National Theater
No waiting. For your benefit, please pre-order your food and beverages at the bar to minimize waiting in the queue!
