‘Tosca’ at Steinmetz Hall: Let’s talk about love, baby
It’s one of the arts world’s most famous triangles: A fiery singer, the painter she loves and the policeman who’s obsessed with her. Opera Orlando opens its season this month at Steinmetz Hall with “Tosca,” and during a recent rehearsal, the show’s three leads sat down with me to talk about love.
For performer Nathan Granner, the depth of emotion felt by his lovesick painter triggers personal feelings.
“I think of my wife and how our love is,” says Granner: “The full and utter trust.”
Since its premiere in 1900, Puccini’s “Tosca” has become one of opera’s most popular and enduring works. A romantic and political thriller, it tells the story of the title character, a passionate and strong-willed singer who falls in love with a painter, Cavaradossi. He, however, has run afoul of police chief Scarpia by helping an old friend who is an escaped political prisoner.
Scarpia wants Cavaradossi eliminated, not only for political reasons but to clear a path to Tosca — setting up a climactic showdown that leaves the diva with an impossible choice.
“He’s multi-tasking,” jokes Daniel Scofield, who portrays Scarpia. “Not only will he get the woman he loves, he can kill her boyfriend for a really good reason.”
Ah, but hold on to your hearts and flowers.
“I don’t think he loves her,” interjects Eleni Calenos, who stars in the title role. “I see him as a narcissist and a manipulator.”
In other words, she thinks Scarpia is in it for the thrill of the chase.
“If he manages to have him succumb to her, I think he’d be on to the next woman,” Calenos chuckles.
Scofield agrees, to a point: “It is a game,” he says. “Whenever he’s in control, he’s playing this very coy game with them.”
But Calenos does think what Tosca feels for Cavaradossi is the real deal — to the point of even seeing cracks form in the singer’s iron will.
“I think he is the love of her life,” Calenos says. “She’s a strong woman,” but “her being in love makes her more insecure.”
Calenos and Granner have some experience in the category of paramours facing obstacles. They previously worked together as star-crossed lovers Mimi and Rodolfo in a production of “La Boheme.”
“She’s died in my arms before,” Granner says with a smile.
This production, stage directed by Josh Shaw and conducted by Eiki Isomura, marks the first time all three have worked together.
The complications in the characters’ personalities make them compelling, the performers agree.
“Growth in character is what we strive for,” Granner says. “That’s why we’re here.”
“One of the best things a show can do is challenge the audience to like and dislike the same character throughout the night,” adds Scofield.
He sees Scarpia’s motivation clearly.
“Every single villain is right in his own mind,” says Scofield, pointing out that Scarpia is chasing down those he believes to be enemies of the state. “Wouldn’t you want to protect your friends and family? Everybody in the audience can identify with the fact there are groups who want to destroy us. He just happens to be on the wrong side of history.”
Calenos also finds her character fascinating.
“She’s a strong woman, she’s prominent, and that’s rare at that time,” she says, referring to the opera’s setting in the year 1800 during the Napoleonic wars. “She’s very emotional, she loses control, very mercurial, very passionate. She knows how to defend herself.”
With all the plot’s complications, is the fight for true love worth the cost?
“It is worth it,” Granner says. “It’s the only thing. He sees her as a savior, and he wants to save her, as well.”
‘Tosca’
Where: Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27, 2 p.m. Oct. 29
Cost: $29 and up
Info: operaorlando.org/tosca
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.
