Free Republic

Opera has it all. Love. Murder. Rape. And most fascinating, in the case of Puccini’s “Tosca” a peek into the rapist’s thinking. In fact, he tells all. In church. Every day headlines tout another soldier in the vast army of rapacious men advancing sexually on some hapless woman. Normal, nice people, cannot help wonder: “What was he thinking?” Well, Giacomo Puccini’s 1900 masterpiece, “Tosca,” lavishly displays such devilish desires. “Tosca” is a passionate love story interfaced with political intrigue. In fact, the plot hinges on villain Baron Scarpia’s botched rape of Floria Tosca, the brave heroine of the story, madly...

Review: Pavarotti Says Farewell at Met Mar 14,2004 By RONALD BLUM/ Associated Press Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- The great ones have the hardest time saying goodbye. For 11 minutes, Luciano Pavarotti soaked up the bravos after Saturday night's performance of "Tosca" at the Metropolitan Opera. It was his final night of staged opera, the 68-year-old tenor had revealed Friday, the end of a career that began 43 years earlier. He stuck out his arms, and he waved to the crowd. He put his hands together and bowed his head in tribute to his fans. He touched his heart, and...