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Tosca Fun Facts
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We’ve said it, time and again: opera is not “musical spinach.” Yes, it’s nutritious, substantial even, but you don’t have to hold your nose and swallow. Opera is consistently entertaining, both onstage and off, and occasionally, it’s downright outrageous. Need proof? Check out these Fun Facts. |
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Puccini’s compositions have been used in film and television for
years. Films include “Copycat” (1995), “Hoodlum” (1997), “Opera Fanatic” (1999), “Callas Forever” (2002) and “Grande Ecole” (2004). Television includes “The Last Mile” (1992), “Attrazione d’ Amore” (1998) with Bryn Terfel, “Prom at the Palace” (2002), a concert celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 50-year reign, featuring Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Sir Thomas Allen, and “Abning af Operaen” (2005).
In a 1964 dress rehearsal of Tosca in London’s Royal Opera House,
Tito Gobbi, the famous baritone, recounts in “My Life” how Maria
Callas moved close to lit candles on a table, unaware she was
getting too close. Soon smoke could be seen coming from her wig.
Gobbi pretended to embrace her, closing his hands over the fire
in her hair. Perplexed, Callas stared at him, so Gobbi extended his
burnt hand very near her face and then pointed to the candles.
Callas interpolated her own, “Grazie, Tito.”
In 1887, Sarah Bernhardt played Tosca in the play, “La Tosca,” by
Victorien Sardou from which the opera was taken.
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