Tosca had its world premiere in Rome on 14 January 1900.

Rome's opera house is celebrating the 125th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca with a series of productions of the opera classic which premiered in the Italian capital on 14 January 1900.

The final production in the Tosca anniversary series will be conducted by James Conlon and directed by Alessandro Talevi, and will be staged on 9, 11 and 13 May.

In January, Michele Mariotti and Francesco Ivan Ciampa alternated in conducting the orchestra and choir of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma in a performance of the three-act opera, directed by Alessandro Talevi.

The production featured a replica of the stage sets and costumes used in the 1900 premiere at Teatro Costanzi, based on Adolf Hohenstein's original designs, and will be followed with two another production in March conducted by Daniel Oren.

Un anniversario imperdibile, tanti artisti di prim’ordine, e una mostra gratuita molto speciale: ci sono almeno tre buone ragioni per non perdervi “Tosca” all’Opera di Roma. Ce ne parla @giulianodnl pic.twitter.com/HIeNChWpn7

— Opera di Roma (@OperaRoma) January 13, 2025

"Puccini and his publisher Ricordi wanted their most Roman opera - set between S. Andrea della Valle, Palazzo Farnese and Castel S. Angelo - to premiere in the opera house of the capital", musicologist Giuliano Danieli said in a promotional video for Teatro dell'Opera di Roma.

The opera house is also staging an exhibition bringing Puccini's masterpiece to life: Tosca 125: Oltre la scena features the composer's original score along with sketches, photographs, letters and costumes, and can be visited before and after performances.

Teatro Costanzi marked the milestone anniversary by unveiling a plaque commemorating the Rome premiere of the masterpiece by Puccini whose centenary was recently celebrated in Italy with a series of special events.

For full details of the Tosca celebrations, including tickets, see the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma website.

Photo Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.