Once on the brink of extinction, the San Diego Opera will open its 51st mainstage season Saturday night with the operatic thriller “Tosca” at the Civic Theatre.
The opera announced in March 2014 that it would cease operations because of financial troubles that the board of directors and CEO at the time felt were unsolvable. Their decision came at a time when opera companies across the U.S. were folding for financial reasons.
The San Diego company was saved, however, by a combination of improved fundraising and new board members.
Giacomo Puccini‘s “Tosca,” performed in Italian with English translations above the stage, concerns a police chief who lusts after the title character. Tosca, in turn, is in love with a sympathizer of an escaped prisoner the chief wants to recapture.
Greek soprano Alexia Voulgaridou stars as Tosca.
The show, last performed in San Diego seven years ago, opens at 7 p.m. Performances are also scheduled for Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, Feb. 21.
“Tosca” will also be broadcast on KPBS Feb. 20 at 8 p.m.
— City News Service
