Cesare Angelotti, a political prisoner and former official of the Roman Republic, escapes and hides inside the church. The first act takes place in “Sant'Andrea della Valle,” a church in Rome. In August 1895, the composer signed an agreement to take the official reigns. Later, Puccini again took an interest in “La Tosca,” and, with the help of Ricordi, successfully acquired the rights. Puccini took offense at this cynicism and withdrew from the negotiations, which were sealed a day before. He further expressed his concern after agreeing to a deal. However, Sardou preferred a French composer, citing the violent receptions in Italy as further evidence of declining Puccini. 1889, he contacted Giulio Ricordi, the publisher to acquire Sardou's permission to turn it into an opera, but was rebuffed. Puccini had viewed it twice, in Turin and Milan. It was heralded as an outstanding success, commanding above 3,000 performances in his country France alone.

“La Tosca” was his third play with Sarah Bernhardt, the eminent French actress. Victorien Sardou, a French playwright, had crafted more than 70 plays in his successful career. The original performance had been delayed by 24 hours to tackle any unwarranted disturbances. The opera finally premiered in Rome, albeit under a time of turbulence. It took four years to convert the French play into an Italian opera, with Puccini repeatedly arguing with his publisher, and librettists during the whole time. Puccini saw Victorien Sardou's play in 1889 and obtained the rights to the work in 1895.

It premiered on the 14th of January, 1900, at Rome’s “Teatro Costanzi.” It is set at the time when Rome is threatened by Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion. “Tosca” is a three-act opera crafted by Giacomo Puccini, with Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica setting the Italian libretto.

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