G Puccini's Tosca Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

G Puccinis Tosca - sample ExampleNevertheless those musical references to objects, persons, or ideas are not developed on a Wagnerian scale and are not certainly woven into symphonic web. Puccinis musical motives serve as a narrator and provide information a characters unexpressed thoughts, recollections, or recall. In Act 1 Tosca and Cavaradossis plan their rendezvous that evening, but Cavaradossis thoughts are revealed when Angelottis fugitive motive is heard. Likewise, Scarpias interrogation of Cavaradossi is punctuated by the motif connoting the well Cavaradossi refuses to mention the well, but the music reveals that he is thinking about it (Puccini 21)Tosca begins on an imposing, quasi-tragic note, much darker than the opening pages of Puccinis earlier operas. However the composer takes care to throw in the Sacristan, a basso buffo, for comic relief. Puccini was always very careful to include well defined nipper characters. The Sacristans banter with Mario gradually leads to the aria Recondita armonia. This piece requires vocal intensity and extension, together with depth of comment from the tenor, and is enriched by the Sacristans counter-melody (21).A nearly comic interlude features the sacristan and the chorus, creating an overall cheerful tone. This is immediately interrupted with the arrival of Scarpia, as the orchestra once more becomes deep and obscure, but with energy and billet this time conveying the overall power held by the police chief. Every accent and work of Scarpia is underscored by Puccini to depict a character with the depth of evil comparable perhaps only to Iago in Verdis Otello.The darkness of the orchestra continues throughout the scene of the search of the church. Upon Toscas sudden arrival in the cathedral, the sinister constitution of the music is toned down significantly as Scarpia acts politely towards her. However, as Scarpia plays upon Toscas jealousy, the music resumes