Aria Code Puccini's Tosca: I Offered Songs to the Stars
Dec 26, 2018
Sondra Radvanovsky, a celebrated soprano renowned for her role as Tosca at the Met, shares deep reflections on Puccini's emotional masterpiece. She discusses the haunting aria 'Vissi d'arte', connecting its themes of despair and faith to both personal and societal struggles, including the AIDS crisis and the #MeToo movement. The conversation dives into the transformative power of opera in navigating life's complexities, while Radvanovsky delivers a stunning rendition of the aria, capturing the essence of Tosca's poignant journey.
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Opera as Emotional Therapy
- Sondra Radvanovsky finds opera to be her therapist, helping her process both grief and joyful moments.
- She has used opera as a vital emotional outlet through various personal challenges.
Opera Transcends Earthly Bonds
- Rufus Wainwright views opera as a transcendence from earthly struggles to the infinite.
- Tosca's line about offering her song to stars symbolizes opera's power to elevate human experience.
Silence Before Despair
- Tosca's aria 'Vissi d'arte' follows a chaotic, violent scene and suddenly shifts to deep silence.
- This silence before the aria highlights Tosca's solitude and inner prayer.