3 PM | TOSCA

2002 | Opera | 2H | Not rated

In this film adaptation of Puccini’s opera Tosca, painter Mario Cavaradossi (Roberto Alagna) shelters a political activist from the vile but magnetic Barone Scarpia (Ruggero Raimondi). Mario's lover, Floria Tosca (Angela Gheorghiu), falls under Scarpia's spell, however, and reveals the secret. Scarpia agrees to spare Mario's life if Tosca sleeps with him. But, despite Scarpia's charm, Floria finds this proposal to be horrifying. Blinded by rage, she makes an impulsive bid for revenge that ends tragically.

Tosca is a political thriller, set in Rome in June 1800 (during the Napoleonic wars and a time of great political unrest). The action takes place over less than 24 hours.

The film is the second of three operas being screened at 3pm on the third Sunday of June, July and August as part of the inaugural Mangawhai Opera Lovers Film Festival.

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