3 reasons to fall for Arizona Opera's 'Tosca'

Nov 08, 2017 1055

BY: Cathalena E. Burch

Every four or five years almost since it was launched in Tucson in 1971, Arizona Opera has performed Puccini’s popular Italian melodrama “Tosca,” and Joseph Specter has an idea why: There’s just something about Puccini that is irresistible. “Puccini and this work are always such a powerful combination of engaging people in opera,” said the Arizona Opera general director, who confessed the piece, which opens at Tucson Music Hall Saturday, Nov. 11, is one of his personal favorites.

“As a former baritone, I always dreamed of playing (Baron) Scarpia,” said Specter, who had an eight-year professional singing career before turning to the management side of the art form. “I think that’s why ‘Tosca’ might be my favorite.” We asked Specter to give us three things we should look for in Arizona Opera’s production of “Tosca,” which will have two Tucson performances this weekend before moving on to Phoenix next week.

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SOURCE: http://tucson.com

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