V. Sardou’s and G. Puccini’s “Tosca” (comparative studies)

Abstract

In the article “V. Sardous and G. Puccini’s “Tosca” (comparative analysis)” the following questions are discussed: the genesis of the drama “La Tosca” by Victorien Sardou and the particularities of its dramaturgy - architecture and extension of the plot. Great attention will be paid to the biography of V. Sardou, which is less well known (especially in Georgia, although V. Sardou’s individual works played a major role in the development of Georgian professional theatre). The concept and genre of “The wellmade play” - “La pièce bien faite” (technically well-crafted work, of the period - “wellmade plays”) will be discussed.

1900 was the premiere of Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Tosca”.

The article describes the details of the creation of the opera - the “libretto hunt” and the final victory over Alberto Franchetti.

It is precisely accentuated why the opera became a world-renowned masterpiece and still holds its place among the 10 best operas in the repertoire of the world’s opera houses.

The dramaturgy of the opera has concentrated on the most important - out of the 22 characters in V. Sardous’s play, only 3 main protagonists remain and a few secondary players.

The composer asked the librettists Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa to radically reinterpret the fi gure of the brutal police chief Vittelio Scarpia - unlike the Scarpia of the play - the latter feels certain sensual urges towards Tosca. It is precisely this point that still today gives opera directors the freedom to create their depiction of Act II - the torture scene of Cavaradossi and the duet of Tosca and Scarpia. The same is true of Tosca’s famous aria “Vissi d’Arte” - the key to the interpretation of this aria lies in the play by V. Sardou (exposition of Act I).

G. Puccini’s opera “Tosca” is a work of art in its own right, a masterpiece of world opera history. The play by V. Sardou has long been all but forgotten. Recently, in 2018, it was performed by the Deutsches Theater in Göttingen (directed by Joachim Schloemer). It is probably the only theatre in the world that performs the play by V. Sardou.

Meanwhile, Puccini’s opera “Tosca” has been living its own life for 120 years.