PHILADEPHIA, PA. - Building on the success of its digital season on the Opera Philadelphia Channel, described by the New York Times as “laying claim to the mantle of making new material during the pandemic” and “one of the best bets going, worldwide,”


 

Opera Philadelphia has announced plans to bring music to live audiences this spring with three outdoor performances of a concert adaptation of Puccini’s Tosca. Performed for socially distanced audiences in the TD Pavilion at the Mann in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the 90-minute concerts will take place on Wednesday, May 5, at 7:00 p.m.; Friday, May 7, at 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, May 9, at 2:00 p.m. Grammy-winning Puerto Rican soprano Ana María Martínez stars in her company and title role debuts as Puccini’s troubled heroine, opposite American tenor Brian Jagde, who makes his company debut as Tosca’s doomed lover, the painter Cavaradossi, and baritone Quinn Kelsey in his company and role debuts as the treacherous Baron Scarpia.

In a special concert adaptation, the tragic tale of Tosca takes on a completely new dimension. Seen through the eyes of an omniscient narrator, this innovative version of Puccini’s beloved work bridges opera and storytelling, highlighting major themes from the original. Created to address audience and artist safety concerns, The Drama of Tosca is only 90 minutes (with no intermission) and focuses on the three principal characters, joined by the spoken narrator. Jack Mulroney Music Director Corrado Rovaris leads 68 players from the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra, who will appear on stage with the singers, with Elizabeth Braden leading 40 singers from the Opera Philadelphia Chorus, who will sing from the balcony level of the Mann, creating a unique concert experience around Puccini’s great political thriller.

Tosca Artists

Soprano Ana María Martínez, baritone Quinn Kelsey, and tenor Brian Jagde make their company debuts in The Drama of Tosca. The concerts replace five previously scheduled Academy of Music performances of a stage production from Teatro Regio di Parma. Opera Philadelphia subscribers who purchased tickets for the Academy shows will receive first access to the Mann performances, which will be capped at approximately 500 audience members per show. Any remaining tickets are slated to go on sale in April.