Puccini classic was first staged in Rome in 1900.
Italy will mark the 125th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca by screening a production of the much-loved classic live from Rome’s opera house on Saturday evening.
The special event, organised in collaboration with Italy’s culture ministry, will be aired worldwide on state broadcaster RAI 3 at 20.50 on Saturday 1 November.
The spectacle, which precedes the opening of the new season at Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, will be a replica of the 1900 production of Tosca which had its world premiere in the Italian capital on 14 January 1900.
The production involves a complete and meticulously detailed reconstruction of Adolf Hohenstein’s original set, including the recreation of the original costumes.
Conductor Daniel Oren will be on the podium, while the direction will be by Alessandro Talevi, with performances featuring three great opera stars: Eleonora Buratto (Tosca), Jonathan Tetelman (Cavaradossi) and Luca Salsi (Scarpia).
Un appuntamento da segnare in calendario: “Tosca” di Giacomo Puccini torna al Teatro dell’Opera di Roma per una recita speciale il 1 novembre (h.20.15), e @RaiCultura la trasmetterà in diretta in prima serata su @RaiTre , RaiPlay e in mondovisione
Info: https://t.co/MQUCI7pa1S pic.twitter.com/CookdmJeOM
— Opera di Roma (@OperaRoma) October 25, 2025
“The incredible aspect of the score of Tosca is its fusion of passion, desire, sex and emotion” – conductor Daniel Oren told RAI News – “Everything always sounds very strong, very dramatic and incredibly lyrical. Alongside the most extreme cruelty, there is beauty and poetry. This is its secret. This is why it will never grow old.”
In keeping with Puccini’s original instructions, the staging recreates the Rome as experienced by the composer, from the dawn views over Castel Sant’Angelo to the gilded interiors of the church of Sant’Andrea della Valle.
Director Alessandro Talevi emphasises the opera’s modernity: “I have never ceased to admire the subtlety and attention to detail with which Puccini creates his settings and the way they constantly require a deep psychological exploration by the singers and director.”
The opera house is marking the anniversary with an exhibition bringing Puccini’s masterpiece to life: Tosca 125: Oltre la scena features the composer’s original score along with sketches, photographs, letters and costumes, and can be visited before and after performances.
Photo credit: Yasuko-Kageyama.
