For more than a century, “Tosca” has been gracing some of the world’s most prestigious stages and is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding and dramatic masterpieces in the global operatic repertoire. Bringing this monumental work to Viet Nam not only demonstrates the efforts of the Viet Nam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) but also reflects the development of classical performing arts in the country, offering audiences an opportunity to enjoy world-class art in the heart of the capital.
This production marks a special collaboration between VNOB and international director Jeong Ae Ree, Creative Director of New Opera Singapore. With her modern artistic vision, incisive approach, and extensive experience in staging large-scale operatic works, Jeong Ae Ree is expected to bring a fresh, contemporary dimension to “Tosca” while preserving the psychological depth and original classical values of Puccini’s masterpiece.
Rather than presenting the opera as a series of separate scenes, VNOB’s production of “Tosca” unfolds as a seamless and powerful emotional journey. The work draws audiences into a gripping confrontation between sincere love and dark forces of power, revealing some of the most fundamental human instincts.
Throughout the opera, audiences are taken through intense psychological conflicts — from the passionate love, courage, and unwavering loyalty shared by the singer Tosca and the painter Cavaradossi to the dark world of jealousy, desire, and moral corruption embodied by Scarpia.
Timeless arias such as “Vissi d’arte” (Tosca’s anguished reflection) and “E lucevan le stelle” (Cavaradossi’s poignant farewell) powerfully convey the opera’s enduring message: love and human dignity remain the strongest forces in the face of evil and tragedy.
Director Jeong Ae Ree said that his focus in staging the work is to portray the emotional journey of Tosca and Cavaradossi as authentically as possible — a journey in which love, devotion, vulnerability, and boundless sacrifice come together. Tosca represents a woman who loves passionately, experiencing every shade of emotion, from tenderness and jealousy to unwavering resolve. Puccini’s music reveals this inner world with exquisite beauty. They are not merely grand operatic figures but very real human beings with dreams, fears, and aspirations.
Explaining the decision to bring the masterpiece to the Vietnamese stage, Meritorious Artist Phan Manh Duc, Director of the VNOB and Artistic Director of the production, said staging “Tosca” has been a long-held aspiration of the theatre’s leadership. The opera places enormous demands on production scale, vocal technique,and performance. Nevertheless, determined to bring the world’s finest artistic works to domestic audiences, VNOB has made thorough preparations to deliver a sophisticated production that meets the public’s growing demand for high-quality performing arts.
