Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the current Royal Opera production of Tosca by Giacomo Puccini on Wednesday, February 28 at 6:00 p.m.

Tosca is one of the great evenings of opera, and from its strident opening chords conjures up a world of political instability and menace.

Jonathan Kent’s production of Tosca for The Royal Opera captures the dangerous political turbulence of Rome in 1800. The Chief of Police, Scarpia – one of the most malevolent villains in opera – ruthlessly pursues and tortures enemies of the state. His dark, demonic music contrasts with the expansive melodies of the idealistic lovers, Tosca and Cavaradossi, who express their passion in sublime arias, including “Vissi d’arte” and “E lucevan le stelle”.

Puccini’s dramatic work was a hit with audiences on its 1900 premiere and it remains one of the most performed of all operas.

A candle-lit church, Scarpia’s gloomy study with its hidden torture chamber and the false optimism of a Roman dawn: this handsome production throws into relief the ruthlessly taut drama, as the tension is wound up towards a fateful conclusion. Puccini’s meticulously researched score is infused with the same authentic detail, from distant cannon fire during the Act I Te Deum to tolling church bells and the sounds of a firing squad.

This screening runs approximately 3 hours 15 minutes including two intervals and an onscreen introduction. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase.

NOTE: Tosca is sung in Italian with English surtitles.

The Live Cinema series features current productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Ballet, and Royal Opera. Direct from England, these professional productions are filmed live and rebroadcast later to select international screens.

Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Youth/Students) are available online (www.phtww.org) or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. Beer, wine and snacks will be available for purchase.

The 2018 Live Cinema Series is sponsored by Shakespeare Walla Walla, a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that aims to make Shakespeare and theater approachable and entertaining to students in eastern Washington and Oregon. 

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Live Cinema Schedule

Wednesday, February 7
Rigoletto
The Royal Opera

Wednesday, February 28
Tosca
The Royal Opera

Wednesday, March 14
Twelfth Night
The Royal Shakespeare Company

Wednesday, March 28
The Winter’s Tale
The Royal Ballet

Wednesday, April 11
Carmen
The Royal Opera

Wednesday, April 25
Macbeth
The Royal Opera

Wednesday, May 9
Bernstein Centenary
The Royal Ballet

Wednesday, May 16
Macbeth
The Royal Shakespeare Company

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About the Gesa Power House Theatre

The historic Gesa Power House Theatre is a 300-seat performing arts venue, located in downtown Walla Walla. The 120-year-old building was once the Walla Walla Gas Plant, built to produce coal gas used to light the streets, businesses, and homes of Walla Walla. In 2011 the Gesa Power House Theatre building was transformed into a state-of-the-art playhouse for live performance. The interior design of the theatre was inspired by Shakespeare’s own intimate Blackfriars Theatre in London, England.

The Gesa Power House Theatre is on the Washington State Building Preservation Commission list of State historic buildings and on the National Register of Historic Places. The venue also hosts a variety of other cultural events, musical concerts, and private events (including weddings).

For additional marketing and media information, including interviews and hi-res images, contact:

Bradley Nelson
Media Contact
Phone: 509.529-6500
webmaster@phtww.org

Gesa Power House Theatre
111 North Sixth Ave.
Walla Walla, Washington 99362