TOSCA

SYNOPSIS ACT I. Cast of Characters Cesare Escaped Prisoner Monk Mario Painter who is in love with Tosca Floria Tosca Beautiful Singer, Marios love interest Scarpio Chief of Police An escaped political prisoner named Cesare rushes into a church to hide in the chapel. As he disappears from sight, an old monk shuffles in, and starts praying when he hears the bells chime. A painter named Mario enters to work on his portrait of Mary Magdalene, who he modeled after Cesares (the prisoners) sister. Mario has a crush on a famous singer Floria Tosca, and compares her picture to the portrait he is painting. The monk rolls his eyes, and grumbles disapprovingly as he leaves. Meanwhile, the prisoner Cesare creeps out of his hiding place and recognizes his friend Mario, the painter. He is happy to see him, gives him food and hurries him back into the chapel when he hears the lovely Tosca calling outside. She is a jealous woman, always suspicious of him. She starts to question him, stops to pray, and reminds them of their date that evening. When she notices the painting and recognizes the woman, she explodes with more suspicion, but he reassures her. After she leaves, Mario calls Cesare from the chapel, when suddenly a cannon fires. The police have discovered the prisoners escape, so Mario and Cesare flee to Marios house. The monk returns with the choirboys, announcing news that the war is over and they have defeated Napolean, and everyone is excited about singing a Te Deum at Mass later that evening. All the cheering is silenced by the entrance of Scarpia, the Chief of Police, who is searching for Cesare, the escaped prisoner. Tosca returns to meet Mario for her date, but finds Scarpia instead. He has always been secretly in love with her. After finding a fan with Cesares (and his sisters) family crest on it, he shows it to Tosca to make her think Mario is cheating on her. She falls for the trick, and through her angry sobs, she vows vengeance in a jealous rage against her boyfriend and runs out of the church as everyone comes for evening Mass. Scarpia knows that Mario is friends with the prisoner, so he sends his men to follow Tosca, hoping she will lead them right to him, and the beautiful Tosca will finally be his.