Inside the Music

A trio of memorable characters, a thrilling plot, iconic arias... It is no surprise that Tosca consistently ranks among the most frequently performed operas in the world. But through which musical devices does Giacomo Puccini manage to keep you on the edge of your seat for two hours? What do the accompanying chords reveal about the complex psychology of Scarpia, Tosca, and Cavaradossi? And what makes the melodies of “Vissi d’arte”, “E lucevan le stelle”, or the “Te Deum” strike us right at the core? Musicologist Chantal Cazaux invites you to explore every aspect of this iconic score during an accessible lecture, punctuated with excerpts performed live on the piano.