I had high expectations for his portrayal of Baron Scarpia and he exceeded those handily. Chioldi first caught my attention in Utah Opera’s 2012 production of Il Trovatore. Thomson’s voice was beautiful - full of power throughout, and with a range that blossomed in the highest notes. Chemistry often implies flirtation or sexual attraction, but in the case of Tosca and Scarpia the chemistry was her palpable disgust at his touch, and his brutish lust. The highlight of opening night was the chemistry between soprano Kara Shay Thomson as Floria Tosca and Michael Chioldi as Baron Scarpia. The dramatic tale ultimately ends with murder, and suicide. The escape of a political prisoner delivers Cavaradossi into Scarpia’s hands, and Tosca bargains for Cavaradossi’s life and freedom, but at a terrible price.
Tosca is the story of a painter (Cavaradossi), his lover (Tosca), and a corrupt politician (Scarpia), who desires Tosca for his own. Utah Opera’s current production of Tosca, playing at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre through October 18, is near-perfect, with music and performances that left me breathless. Some consider Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca to be overly melodramatic, but like many opera lovers I never tire of the melodrama, because it’s paired with such moving and powerful music.
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