You would act to music, which is what happens here.

Melodrama was one of the theatrical forms of the time 19th century melodrama means theatrical action described by music. It’s an opera waiting to be written, really. Yes, that’s the appeal of Sardou’s play, Puccini’s source for the story. Seattle Opera's 1986 Tosca (Matthew McVay, photo) It’s not like getting to know the text of one of the Wagner operas, which will enhance your understanding. Tosca is fundamentally a play which has been set to music, and just as you wouldn’t prep for a play, you don’t really need to prep for this. And it’s plot-driven and very clear what is happening. Blood and thunder is so integral to the experience of this piece. Tosca is a thriller! When you go into a thriller, watch it on TV or a movie, you know there’s gonna be a body count. I always envy someone who has never seen one of the great operas before, because if you don’t know what’s going to happen, you’re in the privileged position of receiving the full stomach-churning intensity of this piece and enjoying that visceral experience. Tosca is one of those operas that you don’t need to do any prep for. How should opera newbies prepare for Tosca? He has much to say about this masterpiece, and most of all he’s eager to find out what Tosca means to you. We discussed Tosca with Aidan, who has a long history with this great work.

Seattle Opera’s new General Director, Aidan Lang, is getting excited about our production of Tosca, which opens this weekend.

Seattle opera tosca