Background Tosca

punch cartoon depicting end of sardou s la tosca, 1888

the french playwright victorien sardou wrote more 70 plays, of them successful, , none of them performed today. in 1880s sardou began collaboration actress sarah bernhardt, whom provided series of historical melodramas. third bernhardt play, la tosca, premiered in paris on 24 november 1887, , in starred throughout europe, outstanding success, more 3,000 performances in france alone.

puccini had seen la tosca @ least twice, in milan , turin. on 7 may 1889 wrote publisher, giulio ricordi, begging him sardou s permission work made opera: see in tosca opera need, no overblown proportions, no elaborate spectacle, nor call usual excessive amount of music.

ricordi sent agent in paris, emanuele muzio, negotiate sardou, preferred play adapted french composer. complained reception la tosca had received in italy, particularly in milan, , warned other composers interested in piece. nonetheless, ricordi reached terms sardou , assigned librettist luigi illica write scenario adaptation.

in 1891, illica advised puccini against project, because felt play not adapted musical form. when sardou expressed unease @ entrusting successful work relatively new composer music did not like, puccini took offence. withdrew agreement, ricordi assigned composer alberto franchetti. illica wrote libretto franchetti, never @ ease assignment.

when puccini once again became interested in tosca, ricordi able franchetti surrender rights recommission puccini. 1 story relates ricordi convinced franchetti work violent staged. franchetti family tradition holds franchetti gave work grand gesture, saying, has more talent do. american scholar deborah burton contends franchetti gave because saw little merit in , not feel music in play. whatever reason, franchetti surrendered rights in may 1895, , in august puccini signed contract resume control of project.