Puccini's Tosca Opens at the Royal Opera House Muscat

The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) opens Giacomo Puccini's much-loved opera Tosca this week in a visually striking production staged by Davide Livermore. Featuring the Orchestra and Chorus of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre and conducted by Fabio Mastrangelo, performances take place on Thursday 29 January at 7:00pm and Saturday 31 January at 7:00pm.

Umberto Fanni, Director General of the Royal Opera House Muscat, said: 'We are pleased to welcome this production of Tosca to Muscat. It reflects our commitment to artistic excellence while supporting learning, participation, and access for our community. ROHM continues to grow as a place where audiences of all ages can experience the power of live performance.'

At the press conference held on Monday, the director Davide Livermore said it is a great honour to be in Oman for this incredible master piece.

He was born in Turin, Italy. He is a director, singer, set costume ar lighting designer, choreographer, screenwriter, actor and teacher. As a tenor he performed with artists like Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Josè Carrera. As a director, he has worked in the most important theatres worldwide including Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Philadelphia Opera House, Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo, Sidney Opera House and Bolshoi Theatre. He worked for Italian Swiss Television director, screenwriter and actor in W Verdi, Giuseppe (film) and in Livermore scic show), for which he was nominated for the Prix de la Rose d'Or prize in Montreu.

'Tosca is perfect Italian opera. It talks about power and love. The story is set in Rome 1800. The French revolutionary armies, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, are at war with the rest of Europe,' he said.

Set in Rome at a time of political tension, Tosca tells a compelling story shaped by love, loyalty, and moral choice. Carmen Giannattasio appears as the passionate singer Floria Tosca, alongside Yusif Eyvazov as the painter Mario Cavaradossi. Ambrogio Maestri takes on the role of Baron Scarpia, whose presence drives the drama. Together, the cast brings Puccini's expressive score to life in a production that appeals to audiences both locally and from around the world.

The conductor is Fabio Mastrangelo, Russia's most sought-after Italian-born conductor. Since 2013, he has held the position of Artistic Director of the 'Shaliapin' State Musical Theatre in St. Petersburg as well as that of Music Director of its two orchestras: The St. Petersburg Northern Sinfonia and the St. Petersburg Northern Sinfonietta. In September 2018, having spent a long time as its Principal Guest, he was named Principal Conductor of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra Russian Philharmonic. At the same time, he entered his fourteenth season as Principal Conductor of Sinfonica ARTica, the symphony orchestra of the Yakutsk State Philharmonic, which he helped establish in 2012. For a fourteen-year period, he also served as Principal Guest Conductor of the Novosibirsk Symphony Orchestra (Novosibirsk State Philharmonic).

Speaking to Observer he said, 'This is my second visit to Oman. It is a great feeling to be in this theatre because first of all, architecurally speaking it is wonderful and secondly it is really a chance to unite people of most diverse origins and show to the world that we can all live together in peace.'

This production also marks the debut of the ROHM Children's Choir, which includes 32 young singers, 16 of whom are from Oman. Their participation highlights the opera house's commitment to education and artistic development, reflecting ROHM's broader mission to nurture future generations while creating meaningful connections with the local community.

Ahead of opening night, ROHM's Education and Outreach Department has continued to engage audiences beyond the main stage. Lunch Music on 24 January offered an informal introduction to live performance, while Opera Talks on 28 January provide an opportunity to explore Tosca in greater depth through discussion and shared learning. These activities reinforce ROHM's role as a cultural hub serving audiences across Oman and the wider region.

The involvement of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre underscores ROHM's status as a venue of international excellence, while remaining rooted in its dedication to local and regional audiences.

With its powerful music and human drama, Tosca at ROHM offers audiences from Oman and beyond the chance to experience one of opera's greatest works in a setting dedicated to cultural exchange and artistic growth.