Tosca - A Tale of Love & Torture

Synopsis

Mid-winter and money is tight at Opera Australia as rehearsals begin for Puccini’s perennial favourite Tosca, a story of love, betrayal and murder set amid the political turmoil of 19th century Rome. Popular diva Joan Carden has played the passionate title role many times. But her two co-stars are new to the production. With only three weeks before the curtain goes up, not everyone is sure they will make it—least of all director Cathy Dadd and renowned Scottish conductor Roderick Brydon.

The filmmakers were granted no-holds-barred access to film behind the scenes, from day one of rehearsals to opening night at the Sydney Opera House. The result is an intimate and honest portrait of artists at work. The drama backstage equals the soaring emotion of Tosca itself. Tension builds and comes to a head in frustration, anger, tears and laughter. Then it’s opening night and they’re on.

Impact

Opera Australia needed a hit at the box office. To boost 1999 ticket sales, it decided to launch its winter season with a revival of this lavish production created in Sydney in 1981 by famed British director John Copley. But with budgets so tight, rehearsal time is cut to the bone. Cast and crew have been given just three weeks to prepare before the curtain goes up. The documentary allows unique insights into the personal and professional struggles of opera singers and performers as they prepare themselves for performance.

In the context of national cost cutting and tight budgets, Tosca reveals a compelling story of artists working under duress. The uncompromised verismo style of the film, showed to Opera Australia and the public at large the dedication of these artists to their work. Opera Australia deemed the documentary to be so revealing that it showcased it in their submission to a Federal Government Inquiry into the Major Performing Arts 2000.

Tosca won the Golden Gate Award - Television Arts Category San Francisco International Film Festival, was nominated for Best Documentary 2000 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, Screened in Australian Spotlight - at Hot Docs and ‘Celebrate Australia’ Shanghai International Arts Festival, Banff Television Festival, Australia China Film Festival, Mumbai International Film Festival amongst others.

In 2001 it screened at the American Cinematheque ‘Downunder Wonders Film Series’ in the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

A study guide for Tosca - A tale of love and torture is located on the film Australia website www.filmaust.com.au