Love knows no bounds

Intrigue and betrayal abound in Puccini's tragic tale of the ill-fated singer, who's lover's political leanings find her in a web of misfortune and murder that ultimately leads to the downfall of all involved. The ENO brings back Catherine Malfitano's innovative production set in Rome at the time of Napoleon's invasion, with Keri Alkema as the eponymous star.

JUNE 1800, ROME, THE STORY OF TOSCA

Under the cloud of rebellion on all sides, Rome is in the middle of a tumultuous change as the Royalist regime is winning over the Republic. Whilst the merciless Baron Scarpia is rounding up rebels and jailing them, Tosca rehearses in a church before meeting her fugitive lover Cavaradossis. When the embittered Baron catches up with him he falls for Tosca, much to her anger, and tortures her lover in front of him. If she yields to him, she is promised his life under the guise of a false execution. But Scarpia's meanness knows no bounds and before the day is out, all life will be extinguished.