/// MISSION BRIEFING

Sir Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker draw their inspiration from Tosca, the most brilliant of all the Puccini operas. And that is deservedly so, since Tosca is not merely a work of art, but also a gripping suspense-packed story – Puccini at its best •In a spectacular staging by Philipp Himmelmann, this production offers a fresh, sexy view on this beloved classic •Kristine Opolais changes into the well-behaved pristine prima donna and shows how to wrap the men on stage round her finger, as she performs with fierce and full physical commitment •Marcelo Alvarez sings with powerful, but smooth tenor. Marco Vratonga’s modern take of Scarpia convinces with brutal elegance and a great voice