The national opera company brings a new production of Puccini’s blood and thunder bodice ripper to Melbourne. Edward Dick’s production for the UK’s Opera North has won plenty of plaudits. With its suspended gilded dome and stadium lighting, it certainly sounds striking, hence its dramatic setting in the Margaret Court Arena. Karah Son and Nadine Benjamin share the honours as the ill-fated Diva with a capital ‘D’. Diego Torre and Young Woo Kim play her lover Cavaradossi, with Robert Hayward and Warwick Fyfe as the vicious police chief Scarpia. Garry Walker conducts Orchestra Victoria and the Opera Australia Chorus.

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“Ah! Tosca.” Scarpia growls it, lust in his voice, danger in his eyes. Tosca thinks of her lover, his captive. How far will she go to save him?

Opera’s greatest thriller is a taut tale of passion and betrayal, taking place over just 24 hours in Rome. Renowned prima donna Tosca is in love with Cavaradossi, a painter and revolutionary. When the sadistic Chief of Police Scarpia tries to crush them, our heroine finds the strength to do the unspeakable.

Puccini’s music is sensational: from the overpowering choral power of the famous Te Deum, Tosca’s ode to art ‘Vissi d’arte’ and the haunting tenor showpiece ‘E lucevan le stelle’ as Cavaradossi faces death.

When the final note rings into silence, and you pick your jaw up off the floor, you’ll feel an extraordinary emotional release.