Italian opera composer G. Puccini completed "Tosca" in 1899. Unlike his previous work "La Boh?me", "Tosca" garnered significant attention at its premiere, achieving moderate success. Set in Rome around 1800, the opera incorporates the political context of Napoleon's French army expanding its influence across Europe. The story is driven by intense and beautiful music, where the three main characters all meet tragic ends. This arrangement offers selections from all three Acts of the opera.
Act I:
Set in the Church of Sant'Andrea della Valle. The opening, where Scarpia's powerful motif resounds, is famous for instantly drawing in the audience. This is followed by the beautiful music of Cavaradossi's renowned aria "Recondita Armonia" ("Hidden harmony"). The act culminates in the famous "Te Deum", where grand music intertwines Scarpia's wicked thoughts with sacred undertones.
Act II:
The scene is set in Scarpia's study within the Palazzo Farnese. While Scarpia awaits reports from his subordinates, a cantata being performed in the palace courtyard can be heard from backstage. Tension quickly escalates as Scarpia interrogates Cavaradossi and Tosca. The act concludes quietly after Tosca's most famous aria, "Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore" ("I Lived for Art, I Lived for Love").
Act III:
Set on the rooftop of Castel Sant'Angelo, where horns triumphantly sound the melody of love's victory. The music gradually shifts into a cold, pre-dawn atmosphere, and the shepherd's song, traditionally sung by a boy soprano from backstage in the opera, is played by the trumpet. This leads into Cavaradossi's famous aria, "E lucevan le stelle" ("And the stars shone"), which is introduced by a mournful, beautiful saxophone quartet. The opera ends dramatically with Cavaradossi's execution, which, contrary to Tosca's belief, is real. In despair, Tosca throws herself from the castle walls, shouting, "Scarpia, we meet before God!!" thus bringing the story to a tragic close.
(Koh Shishikura)
Arranger's Profile: Koh Shishikura
Koh Shishikura, born in Tokyo in 1968, graduated from Musashino Academia Musicae studying oboe with Kaetsu Toratani and Kozo Yoshinari and vocal music with Hirochi Mochiki. He began composing and arranging at age 16 and has arranged numerous classical, jazz and pops selections for wind band. Many of his works have been premiered by the Saitama Sakae Wind Orchestra including Fantasia on Little Fugue at the NBA/BOA Summer Symposium in 2004, Cherished Days - Nostalgia for Naperville at the 60th Midwest Clinic (presented to the city of Naperville, IL in 2006), an arrangement of Beethoven's Tempest at the premier classical music event La Forge Journet Kanazawa in 2008, an arrangement of The Phantom of the Opera at the New York Band and Orchestra Festival in 2008, and the World Youth Song at the Taiwan Clinic in 2009. A CD collection of his music entitled "Miss Saigon" was recorded and labeled by Brain Music. Mr. Shishikura is also active as a clinician and lecturer. He is a rehearsal coach for Saitama Sakae Junior and Senior High School band club and is an adjunct professor at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music. In 2006 he received honorary citizenship from the City of Naperville, IL.
(Koh Shishikura)
