TOSCA - THE PRINCETON FESTIVAL
The Princeton Symphony
Conductor: Rossen Milanov
Director: Eve Summer
Scenic Designer: Ryan McGettigan
Costume Designer: Marie Miller
Lighting Designer: Paul Kildonsk
HWMU Designer: Carissa Thorlakson
Fight Director: Ian Rose
PSM: Cassie Goldbach
Photos: Gentle Grace PhotographyToni Marie Palmertree, Victor Starsky, Luis Ledesma, Eric Delagrange, Stefano de Peppo, Nick Nestorak, Jake Hanes
Reviews of Tosca at The Princeton Festival
“In the decades I’ve been writing about live entertainment, I’ve favored opera productions that stress theater, the putting on of a play and deft characterization as much as it concentrates on the music, vocal, and orchestral. The Princeton Festival production of “Tosca,” met the standards of strong, engaging theater as much as any opera I’ve seen. Opera is, in some ways, the pinnacle of theater… everything, including grand music and complex arrangements, combines with story and design to emphasize love, power, or comic commentary with size, intensity, and depth…Eve Summer’s production of “Tosca” for the Princeton Festival exemplified all of that. Summer kept her production small and intimate. She rarely crowded the stage, letting the full drama affect the audience the way theater does. This up-close and personal rendition of “Tosca” made Illica and Giacosa’s story come to vibrant life. But both Milanov’s musicians and Summer’s cast did more. They humanized “Tosca” in a way opera sometimes forgets to do. Palmertree, Ledesma, Starsky, and their castmates acted as well as they sang, endowing their characters with personality and intention that made Summer’s production complete, a total work of theater rather than the concert opera often becomes. One did not only hear marvelous phrasing and delight in glorious voices, but one knew what each character wanted and got involved with that. Summer’s “Tosca” made the operatic characters present, real, and immediate. Palmertree brought you in touch with Tosca’s feelings and ultimate dilemma. In Summer’s production, it’s no surprise that harmonies among Palmertree, Ledesma, Starsky, and others are pure and lovely. Ryan McGettigan’s set of Sant’Andrea, Scarpia’s office in the Castel Sant’Angelo, and the roof of the Castel reinforce the authentic feels of Summer’s production. Paul Kilsdonk’s lighting brings these settings to more palpable life while creating the mood for crucial scenes. Marie Miller’s costumes are perfect for the characters and their various situations.”
-Neal Zoren, Princeton Info
"She pulled off the most arresting Tosca leap I’ve seen since Aprile Millo’s... The director Eve Summer added thoughtful touches, such as Tosca returning to the church carrying the cantata score and the ‘Te Deum’ procession extending through the aisles of the auditorium… the Act 1 love duet sought a maximal rom-com relatable factor."
-David Shengold, Opera News
“The Princeton Festival production effectively conveys the essence of Puccini’s ‘Tosca.’ Opera-goers were treated to all the passion, tragedy and torment in an attentive and faithful new production, featuring stage direction by Eve Summer. It struck the perfect balance between drama and verismo… Summer’s storytelling did not shy away from the brutalism, though there were plenty of Romantically tinged gestures by heroically painted characters to balance out the libretto’s cruelty and gloomy subject matter... All of the opera’s classic and familiar iconography was included without feeling like prototypical props. The duets felt genuinely warm. While the last two years of The Princeton Festival were devoted to comedic operas, any doubts about its ability to handle dramatic works have been put to rest with a “Tosca” that was striking and persuasive, in the hands of an observant director and cast.”
-Courney Smith, New Jersey Arts
"Princeton Festival Presents Powerful Performance of 'Tosca.' The opening night of the Princeton Festival's Giacomo Puccini opera "Tosca" on June 13 under the huge tent at Morven Museum and Garden was a memorable and spectacular event. Many in the capacity audience expressed the view that they expected perfection at a New York City Metropolitan Opera House production, but much to their surprise and delight found it that evening in Princeton. Special kudos for the outstanding production go to Stage Director Eve Summer.”
-Linda Siprelle, TAP into Princeton
“At the helm was Eve Summer who gave the audience a faithful rendition. Staid? Hardly. She kept the flow moving, actions had purpose.”
-Chris Ruel, OperaWire
"The evening's powerful performances, characterized by drama and intensity, were seamlessly supported by the Princeton Symphony Orchestra under highly-regarded Conductor Rossen Milanov… The Princeton Festival showed off its mainstage production this past weekend with a presentation of Giacomo Puccini’s timeless opera Tosca…the audience reaction made it clear that reaching to new heights can often strengthen a performing organization’s standing in the community….In particular, the onstage action of the third act was so riveting that one almost forgot there was an orchestra, and the subtlety and crispness of the accompaniment well captured the anguish…. This year’s Princeton Festival has raised summer classical entertainment to new levels in a region where many people head to the shore for the weekends.” -Nancy Plum, Town Topics