A translation of La Tosca, the play that inspired the Puccini opera, complete with annotations and critical comments. This work seeks to give a well-rounded picture of Sardou as a playwright who imbued his pieces with a wealth of historical knowledge.

A guide for opera goers to Tosca, which includes a synopsis of the plot and discussions on style.

Tosca, one of Puccini's greatest and most popular operas, is a supreme example of music's power to enthral the audience. In his introductory essay to this guide, Bernard Williams discusses the enduring quality of its appeal. Bernard Keeffe, in his article, analyses different aspects of the score, noting Puccini's special genius for orchestration and the subtle effects that give the opera its irresistible vitality, while Stuart Woolf's survey of the historical background reveals its political and nationalistic undertones.Enriched by twenty-five archive photographs, a detailed thematic analysis, the original libretto with the facing literal translation and a section containing up-to-date discographical and bibliographical information, this guide will prove an invaluable companion for opera-goers and anyone wanting to delve deeper into the genesis, history and significance of Puccini's work.Contains:Manifest Artifice, Bernard WilliamsThe Music of Puccini's Tosca, Bernard KeeffeHistorical Perspectives on Tosca, Stuart WoolfTosca: Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica after the play La Tosca by Victorien SardouTosca: English translation by EMI Classics

Distinguished musicologists, historians, theater professionals, and luminaries of the operatic stage reflect on European history in 1800, 1900 and 2000 through the prism of Puccini's Tosca.