Marsha Thompson, soprano, as Floria Tosca commands the stage from the very first scene. Her range as an actress is on full display as she embraces the full range of Tosca’s personality wholesale, from the jealous lover to the powerful heroine that draws all eyes at the powerful climax. Tosca is one of the most fascinating heroines in opera, and one can easily understand how the density of the plot can overwhelm the focus on the opera’s central character, but Ms. Thompson’s deep understanding of the character and plot allowed her to explore the role so naturally without losing the potency of the character. Puccini’s soprano moments are suffused with emotion and Ms. Thompson’s singing was simply enchanting, heartbreaking, and Herculean, especially when she sang “Vissi d’arte,” one of the crowning moments in a soprano’s career. No one could have sung it better.

Today y Mañana Review: Tosca