Centre In The Square offers opera
Gregory Daniels

Kitchener-Waterloo Opera opens its fourth season with Puccini's powerful opera Tosca, playing October 30 at The Centre In The Square.

A dark and menacing work, Tosca encompasses the most exciting components of theatre: lust, murder, vengeance and suicide.

As General Director Kenneth Freeman states, "It's all that is good about theatre."

Here is how this masterful plot unfolds. A painter, Cavaradossi, is in love with the beautiful and celebrated diva Floria Tosca. Unfortunately for Cavaradossi, the sinister Chief of Police Baron Scarpia hatches an evil plot to have Floria all to himself.

After arresting Cavaradossi, Scarpia guarantees the painter's release only if Tosca submits to his lustful demands.

Puccini paints a world of strong contrasts in his music. The themes of cruelty and death resonate throughout in beautiful musical motifs. His fabulous score features an array of recognizable arias from "Recondita armonia" to "Visse d'arte."

Freeman explains that Tosca's familiarity is a real challenge. Not only is there a high standard to meet, but also, "there's always going to be someone humming along, but that's OK, as long as they're in tune."

Hopefully, they're quiet too. Who would want to miss a minute of the great talent? In the role of the celebrated singer, Tosca is American Lisa Houben. Says Freeman, "most don't attempt this role till their thirties but she has a spectacular voice." Alongside her is Bulgarian tenor Bojidor Nikolov as Cavaradossi, who, according to Freeman, "sings the role beautifully."

Canadian baritone, Allan Monk, and Canadian bass, Maurizzio Antonelli, also join them on stage, and both are "phenomenal talents."

Freeman feels strongly about casting Canadian talent. "It's a priority." So why is there minimal Canadian talent in this production?

Freeman blames fierce competition and the low Canadian dollar for sending most of our singers south, "I don't blame them for heading south. There are 120 opera companies in the States and only 15 in Canada."

He agrees that Canadians need the exposure, but, "Our first commitment is to quality. Still, all things being equal, we'll always go with the Canadian." Excitedly, Freeman continues, "Next season is almost an all Canadian cast!"

Canadian opera is still alive and flourishing, not only through acclaimed performers, directors and producers who work abroad, but also through local opera companies like the Kitchener-Waterloo Opera.

Equipped with international experience and a powerful script, Tosca should not be missed. Keep in mind, it will be sung in its original Italian, but no worries for us uncultured folk, there are English subtitles. For ticket information, call The Centre In The Square box office.