I saw Tosca in late September at the Met. It was gloriously good. I had read beforehand that Met traditionalists did not like the set and the opening night audience had booed at the opera's end. On the night I attended, the crowd applauded enthusiastically. For those who have not seen this production, I recommend you watch and make your own decision. I recommend it on its own merits.

I just saw this production on PBS. It was spectacular. The performances were unforgetable. The starkness of the set helped by putting the focus on the performers.

Thanks for sharing your reaction. TIM

As someone who has performed in Tosca many times, and has spent hours and hours with the score and libretto...this production scares me. Stage directions, down to the most minute detail regarding how the set should look are written in the score, in the composer's hand...and by the way, you can hear it in the music. It is downright offensive for a director to disregard this. Write your own opera, Mr. Bondy. The story takes place 100 years before the opera was written, which meant that Puccini and Illica were concerned with portraying relationships in a unique historical context...why the director would feel the need to update this, to make it more relevant to the public is beyond me. A compelling piece of theater with primarily sub-par singing, perhaps. Puccini's Tosca...no way. Call me a traditionalist, call me what you will, but the more that directors dumb down this product to make it sexy and pretty, the more they contribute to the death of a beloved art form. Think of all of the wonderful singers from the golden age of singing that couldn't get work today, because they don't fit Mr. Bondy or Ms. Prada's visual aesthetic, and tell me that this is not a scary time for opera. Have I sufficiently used this space to cheer or jeer about the broadcast? Sorry for the rant...I guess the silver lining is that it has people talking about opera (much in the same way that the ugly statue in front of Penn Station has people talking about art).

I love rants. Free free any time. And thanks for expressing your views with such authentic, operatic passion. TIM

I saw it on PBS last night and was pleasantly surprised. I'd gladly give up the Scarpia Hookers scene and the silly ending, though.

Thanks for the feedback. TIM

Group, If one never saw a Puccini Opera (of course, if they didn't, I feel sorry for them!) this kind of production would be a wonderful introduction to his work.

To the non-purist, I can understand the "cut to the chase" perspective. For the "purist" group, I can understand the cold-water-in-the-face.

But, this is Puccini: what could sound more like heaven?

Thanks for commenting. TIM

It was rather by accident that I viewed Tosca last night on Oregon Public Broadcasting. At 58, I had never seen an opera live or on television. I found it compelling and historically interesting. The set did seem stark and curiously modern, however the costume was nicely done. Ha, I may just indulge myself again...and get this....I watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir an hour earlier. Must be getting on in years.

What a combination -- the Mormons and Puccini's "shabby little shocker" (as it was once described way back when). Glad you survived the opera experience. Next week, try the same channel, same time, for a highly touted film version of Puccini's "La Boheme" with a top-drawer cast. Many a newcomer to opera has been thoroughly converted for life by exposure to "Boheme." Thank for commenting. TIM

Thank you Tim. It was again by accident that I found your article from a search this morning based on the experience. You are on my list now. Again thanks.

My pleasure. TIM

It must be that old men like Luc Bondy and Peter Gelb think that by adding a little simulated sex, they can appeal to a younger audience. I have news for Bondy and Gelb – we have grown up with instant access to as much sex and violence as we want via the internet.

What we want when we go to an opera is something outside our everyday experience.

The singing was very good. The music was outstanding. The stageing was VERY POOR.
If I were to seen this beautiful opera on Tv again, I would turn off the picture and hear only the music

If it were not for the Scarpia/Hooker scene...I might NEVER have convinced my husband to buy SF Opera Tickets for my birthday present!
Why should the "Opera Appreciation Club"...be closed to...uh, hmmm...well for lack of a better word...NEANDERTHALS?
;)