August 5-11, 2004

artpicks

Under the Tuscan Moon

opera

Floria Tosca may not be the model feminist operatic heroine (she dies as much for her man as she does for her ideals), but there are few other moments in opera as empowering for a soprano as the scene in which she murders her evil seducer, Scarpia, finally intoning over the crumpled corpse, "before him all Rome trembled." This was, after all, the signature role of Maria Callas. Lightweight summer fare? Maybe not, but Puccini's action-packed, melodically overflowing masterpiece Tosca packs a wallop 365 days a year. Delaware Valley Opera Company, a wonderful Fairmount Park tradition for 25 years, will present the complete opera, with piano accompaniment and a full cast of fine young singers, at the company's amphitheater behind the Hermitage mansion. Bring a lawn chair, picnic dinner, un poco vino and see (and especially, hear) the melodrama unfold.

Tosca, Aug. 7, 12 and 14, 8 p.m., $15-$20, Delaware Valley Opera Company at Hermitage Mansion in Fairmount Park, Hermit Lane off Henry Ave., Roxborough, 215-725-4171.

—Peter Burwasser