The National Theater is the venue at which the State Opera during its reconstruction premieres the new production of Puccini´s Tosca on 28 and 29 January 2017. One of the most popular works of the opera world about passion, honor and betrayal on the background of political intrigues will be performed by the State Opera Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of its Music Director Andreas Sebastian Weiser. The new production of Tosca will be created by the renowned French director Arnaud Bernard.

Tosca belongs to the most popular world opera titles and its arias (Vissi d 'arte or E lucevan le stelle) among the real hits. The main characters will be performed by experienced singers including Barbara Haveman and Anda-Louise Bogza (Tosca), Peter Berger and Valter Borin (Mario Cavaradossi) and Francesco Landolfiniho and Jiří Sulženko (Scarpia).
Director Arnaud Bernard, who created the costumes and lighting design as well, worked with the State Opera already. He directed La traviata which premiered in 2006 and last year celebrated its tenth anniversary of performing. In his concept of Tosca he emphasizes the socio-political interference of the whole story: "I wanted to create a performance with absolute respect to Puccini. Tosca is a thriller in which the criminal plot is mixed with psychological and emotional elements. I reinforced the theme of Scarpia. In particular I wanted to invoke the feelings that we have when people have to live in an environment constantly under pressure of the police forces and persecution for their opinions. It can remind you of the practices of the Communist regime. They are common to all totalitarian regimes."
Anda-Louise Bogza adds: "In this context, it is interesting that even the world premiere of Tosca, which took place in Rome in 1900, it was presented as a comment on the persecution of the security and police forces." She sees Tosca as an ideal art material: "It is no doubt that Tosca as a woman hates lie and at the same time she is full of love. The role itself is also very dramatic which makes an extraordinary space for expression. Opera singers must have a charismatic voice that captivates the audience. Only then there can be a connection between the performers on stage and the audience which makes the performing arts so personal and irreplaceable experience. "
Tosca is also going to be the first opera premiere of the State Opera Music Director Andreas Sebastian Weiser: "This is a wonderful work. Puccini composed a beautiful and dramatic music which is full of the deepest emotions. The current concept of the director Arnaud Bernaud is also very interesting and logical. I hope that people come to see the opera performances with curiosity."
The following premiere of the National Theatre is Viva la Mamma by Donizetti, directed by Radim Vizváry and conducted by Enrico Dovico. The premieres will take place at The Estates Theatre in Prague on 9 and 10 February 2017.