By David Abrams [CNY Café Momus, 3 August 2010]

Ever since its first performance some 110 years ago, Tosca has commanded the attention of the listener’s eyes as well as ears. Who can forget the vivid images of the interior of the Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle, the iconic candles-and-crucifix ritual following Scarpia’s murder and the eerie pre-dawn calm preceding Cavaradossi’s execution atop Castel Sant’Angelo prison?