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© Wiener Staatsoper
Tosca
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 September 2026 | ||||||
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Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
ACT 1
Rome in 1800: Angelotti, consul of the former Roman Republic, has escaped from Castel Sant'Angelo, where he was imprisoned. In the church of SantʼAndrea della Valle, he meets the painter Mario Cavaradossi, a Republic sympathizer, who promises to help him.
In addition, his sister, the Marchesa Attavanti, has left him women's clothes in her family chapel as a disguise. Floria Tosca, a famous singer and Cavaradossi's jealous lover, arrives to arrange a night of love with the painter in her villa.
She discovers that the painting Cavaradossi is working on bears the features of Attavanti. Only after the painter has managed to appease her jealousy and she has left the church again can Cavaradossi and Angelotti plan the former consul's escape: he is to hide on Cavaradossi's estate. A cannon shot reveals that his escape from Castel Sant'Angelo has been discovered and Cavaradossi accompanies Angelotti to the hiding place. In the church, the supposed victory over Napoleon at Marengo (and thus the setback of republican aspirations) is celebrated.
The brutal police chief Baron Scarpia, who hopes to discover clues to Angelotti's escape in the church, interrupts the celebration. Using a fan left behind by the Marchesa Attavanti, he succeeds in stirring up the jealousy of the returned Tosca, who then rushes to Cavaradossi to convict him of infidelity. Scarpia's henchmen follow her. In a diabolical monologue, Scarpia muses on his desire to possess Tosca and to see Cavaradossi dead.
ACT 2
The victory over Napoleon is also celebrated in Palazzo Farnese, with Tosca in attendance. Meanwhile, Scarpia has Cavaradossi tortured in order to discover Angelotti's hiding place. When Tosca hears his cries of pain, she betrays him in order to protect her lover.
News arrives that Napoleon has won at Marengo. The end of tyranny is imminent. Before that, however, Cavaradossi is to be executed. To save him, Scarpia demands Tosca's physical devotion. She agrees, receives the promise of a mock execution and passes - and murders Scarpia.
ACT 3
On the platform of Castel Sant'Angelo, where his execution is to take place, Cavaradossi loses himself in memories of Tosca.
She appears and tells them about his rescue and the imminent faked execution. But Scarpia has betrayed her and Cavaradossi is actually shot by the soldiers. For Tosca, life has become meaningless. As Scarpia's henchmen approach, she throws herself off the Castel Sant'Angelo.
ACT 1 - 40 MIN
INTERMISSION - 25 MIN
ACT 2 - 40 MIN
INTERMISSION - 25 MIN
ACT 3 - 25 MIN
Program and cast
Floria Tosca: Lise Davidsen; Sonya Yoncheva*; Aleksandra Kurzak**
Mario Cavaradossi: Freddie De Tommaso; Piotr Beczala*; Roberto Alagna**
Baron Scarpia: Alexey Markov; Ambrogio Maestri*; Gabriele Viviani**
Musical Direction: Pier Giorgio Morandi; Marco Amiliato**
Production: Margarethe Wallmann
Stage and Costumes: Nicola Benois
*February 9, 2025; February 12, 2025; February 15, 2025; February 17, 2025
**May 9, 2025; May 12, 2025; May 14, 2025; May 17, 2025
Vienna State Opera
Public Transport
Subway lines: U1, U2, U4
Trams: 1, 2, D, J, 62, 65
Buses: 59A
Local Railway: Badner Bahn
Stops: Karlsplatz / Opera
Taxi stands are available nearby.
Parking
Parking is only € 6, - for eight hours!
The Wiener Staatsoper and the ÖPARK Kärntner Ring Garage on Mahlerstraße 8, under the “Ringstraßengalerien”, offer the patrons of the Vienna State Opera a new, reduced parking fee. You can park in the Kärntner Ring Garage for up to 8 hours and pay only a flat fee of € 6, -. Just validate your ticket at one of the discount machines inside the Wiener Staatsoper. The normal rate will be charged for parking time greater than 8 hours. The validation machines can be found at the following coat checks: Operngasse, Herbert von Karajan-Platz, and the right and left and balcony galleries.
Important: In order to get the discount, please draw a ticket and do not use your credit card when entering the garage!
After devaluing your ticket in the Wiener Staatsoper you can pay comfortably by credit card or cash at the vending machines.
The machines accept coins and bills up to 50.- Euro. Parking time longer than 8 hours will be charged at the normal rate.
History
The structure of the opera house was planned by the Viennese architect August Sicard von Sicardsburg, while the inside was designed by interior decorator Eduard van der Nüll. It was also impacted by other major artists such as Moritz von Schwind, who painted the frescoes in the foyer, and the famous "Zauberflöten" (“Magic Flute”) series of frescoes on the veranda. Neither of the architects survived to see the opening of ‘their’ opera house: the sensitive van der Nüll committed suicide, and his friend Sicardsburg died of a stroke soon afterwards.
On May 25, 1869, the opera house solemnly opened with Mozart's Don Giovanni in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.
The popularity of the building grew under the artistic influence of the first directors: Franz von Dingelstedt, Johann Herbeck, Franz Jauner, and Wilhelm Jahn. The Vienna opera experienced its first high point under the direction of Gustav Mahler. He completely transformed the outdated performance system, increased the precision and timing of the performances, and also utilized the experience of other noteworthy artists, such as Alfred Roller, for the formation of new stage aesthetics.
The years 1938 to 1945 were a dark chapter in the history of the opera house. Under the Nazis, many members of the house were driven out, pursued, and killed, and many works were not allowed to be played.
On March 12, 1945, the opera house was devastated during a bombing, but on May 1, 1945, the “State Opera in the Volksoper” opened with a performance of Mozart's THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO. On October 6, 1945, the hastily restored “Theaters an der Wien” reopened with Beethoven's FIDELIO. For the next ten years the Vienna State Opera operated in two venues while the true headquarters was being rebuilt at a great expense.
The Secretary of State for Public Works, Julius Raab, announced on May 24, 1945, that reconstruction of the Vienna State Opera would begin immediately. Only the main facade, the grand staircase, and the Schwind Foyer had been spared from the bombs. On November 5, 1955, the Vienna State Opera reopened with a new auditorium and modernized technology. Under the direction of Karl Böhm, Beethoven’s FIDELIO was brilliantly performed, and the opening ceremonies were broadcast by Austrian television. The whole world understood that life was beginning again for this country that had just regained its independence.
Today, the Vienna State Opera is considered one of the most important opera houses in the world; in particular, it is the house with the largest repertoire. It has been under the direction of Dominique Meyer since September 1, 2010.
© Wiener Staatsoper
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