Tosca

Rome, June 1800. After escaping from Castel Sant'Angelo, the former consul Angelotti takes refuge at Sant'Andrea della Valle, where Mario Cavaradossi is working on a painting. Cavaradossi, a sympathiser of the Bonapartist cause, helps the fugitive but prudently conceals him upon the arrival of his beloved, the renowned singer Floria Tosca. The discovery of Angelotti's escape prompts the head of the Papal police, Baron Scarpia, who is obsessed with Tosca, to hunt him down. With cunning tactics, Scarpia first plants seeds of doubt in the diva's mind regarding Mario's fidelity, then commands his men to follow her every move, already anticipating his imminent triumph.

At Palazzo Farnese, Scarpia eagerly awaits news of Angelotti and entertains fantasies about the possibility of persuading Tosca to comply with his desires in exchange for saving her beloved Mario from imprisonment. Fortune seems to smile upon this plan: the authorities have only apprehended Cavaradossi, who staunchly refuses to disclose Angelotti's whereabouts. Consequently, the baron summons Tosca, who, upon hearing Cavaradossi's tortured cries, reveals Angelotti's hiding spot. Sudden news of Napoleon's triumph at Marengo arrives: Cavaradossi celebrates and faces a death sentence. Tosca pleads for mercy and, after turning to God, submits herself to the baron, who leads her to believe that the execution will be faked. However, instead of giving herself to Scarpia, Tosca stabs him and rushes to her Mario.

On the ramparts of Castel Sant'Angelo, Cavaradossi attempts to write a farewell letter to his beloved, but emotions get the better of him. He is joined by Tosca, who reveals that she has rid them of their persecutor and advises him to fake his own death convincingly: then they will be free. However, Scarpia, diabolical to the end, has deceived them. Mario is shot, and immediately afterward, the guards arrive, having found the baron's corpse. In despair, Tosca throws herself from the castle parapets.