With a groundbreaking staging, creating an almost supernatural atmosphere at many times, Puccini’s Tosca rose last night to the impressive dome of the Tarraco Arena. With close to 2,000 spectators hooked on the opera, an exceptional gift in Tarragona, the super production (198,000 euros budget) driven by the stubbornness and passion of Àngel Ódena, made merits to be repeated next summer. The Gran Nit de l’Òpera must take root in the south of Catalonia.
The bet for the Tarraco Arena, risky, paid off. The set designer Emilio López, stage director and promoter of audiovisual art who accompanied and magnified Tosca for two hours, has known how to take advantage of the grandeur of the space. Great vision of Ódena, her artistic director.
A giant screen, behind the stage, in a central position, served to project images that merged with Puccini’s creation and the extraordinary performances. Tradition and modernity. Purity and innovation. So much art filled a Tarraco Arena with a capacity for 10,000 people in other types of shows and events.
You couldn’t even hear the spectators in the audience breathing, excited, sitting on the track of the old bullring, full, with part of the public in the central stand. Together with them, the strength of the Orquestra de l’Òpera de Tarragona, with Oliver Díaz conducting, at his same level, under the stage, next to the new Cor de l’Òpera de Tarragona; with each intervention of the choir the operatic experience rose a little more if possible. To remember.
The public thanked with generous applause after each act and a chilling final ovation for the uniqueness and courage of a lyrical proposal so necessary in these latitudes. To remember, the performance of the soprano Vanesa Goikoetxea (Tosca), with goosebumps; the strength of the tenor Alejandro Roy (Cavaradossi); and the stage presence of Òdena (Scarpia) himself, a prestigious baritone, who played freely at home.
