Like many operas with strong plots, Puccini's Tosca began as a play. The libretto, by Giacosa and Illica, is based on La Tosca, a drama by the French playwright Sardou. Because of its thrilling music, dramatic storyline, and spectacular final moments it remains a certain best-seller in the repertoire.
Cavaradossi, a politically aware artist, is painting a madonna for his local church. The consul of the former Roman Republic has escaped from prison. Cavaradossi helps to hide him.
Tosca, a famous singer, is having a passionate affair with Cavaradossi. But she's convinced he's two-timing her with the beautiful Marchese Attavanti.
Baron Scarpia, a cruel and passionate police chief, has Cavaradossi arrested and subjected, offstage, to unspeakable tortures.
Scarpia invites Tosca to visit him after a performance. He plays on her jealousy, trying to make her reveal Angelotti's hiding place. She resists him proudly until he encourages a couple of thugs to do more unspeakable things to Cavaradossi. Hearing her lover's ghastly cries, she breaks down and reveals all.
Cavaradossi is condemned to die. Scarpia proposes a bargain. If Tosca yields to his despicable lusts, then he will rescue her beloved. Tosca agrees. It's arranged that Cavaradossi will be freed next day, after a mock execution. Having written a safe conduct for the lovers, Scarpia advances on Tosca to ominous music. She grabs a table-knife and stabs him.
Everything goes quiet. In shock and a blood-stained costume, she washes her hands. She places a crucifix and lighted candles around the body. Then, having wrenched the safe-conduct from his lifeless grasp, she exits, stage centre.
It is dawn. Cavaradossi is ready for the firing squad. Tosca arrives. Under cover of an embrace, she shows him the safe conduct and tells him to feign death. The shots ring out. He falls. The soldiers leave and Tosca tries to move him. But Scarpia has tricked her. The bullets were real after all.
Offstage cries tell of Scarpia's murder. Soldiers hasten to find Tosca. She runs up a flight of steps to the castle tower. As they press forward to capture her she leaps from the battlements.
