Tosca
English National Opera
- Date night
- Great for groups
- Date
- Fri, 11 Dec 2026
- Time
- 19:30 · 2h 10m
- Venue
- London Coliseum
- City
- London
- Conductor
- Ben Glassberg
- Tickets
- from £25
You'll be taken to the ensemble's official site.
Summary
Ben Glassberg conducts Axelle Fanyo and Chaz’men Williams-Ali in Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca at the London Coliseum, featuring Christopher Purves and Craig Colclough as Scarpia for the English National Opera.
Why it's fantastic
Puccini’s thriller moves with the pace of a cinematic noir, packing high-stakes obsession and a famous leap into just over two hours. The score is a masterclass in tension, featuring the soaring soprano aria Vissi d’arte alongside some of the most recognisable melodies in the entire operatic canon.
Our guide to this performance
What you'll hear
Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca functions as a taut, relentless drama, focusing on three central figures caught in a web of political instability and personal obsession. You will hear a score that moves with considerable pace, avoiding the extended pauses found in earlier operatic traditions. The music is famous for its motifs, particularly the three jarring chords that announce the villainous Scarpia. Throughout the evening, you should listen for the way the orchestra mirrors the psychological state of the protagonists, particularly in the famous second act where the pressure on the heroine reaches its peak. The work is known for blending lyrical, expansive melodies with moments of sudden, violent realism. It concludes with a swift sequence of events in the third act, leading to a definitive and tragic finale. We suggest paying attention to the way Puccini uses the brass section to underpin the darker themes of authority and sacrifice that permeate the entire narrative.
Who's performing
English National Opera provides the foundation for this production, known for their commitment to performing works in English at their home in the capital. Ben Glassberg leads the orchestra through this high-tension score. The cast features Axelle Fanyo in the title role, appearing alongside Chaz’men Williams-Ali. The role of the antagonist, Scarpia, is shared across the run by Christopher Purves and Craig Colclough. The ensemble is recognised for creating accessible, large-scale productions that emphasise clarity of storytelling and vocal strength within a grand theatrical setting.
Planning your evening
The performance takes place at the London Coliseum and runs for approximately 130 minutes, including intervals. As an English National Opera production, the work will be sung in English, making it a suitable choice if you are new to the genre and wish to follow the plot closely without relying solely on surtitles. There is no specific dress code for this venue, so you may wear what feels comfortable. The running time is relatively short for a major opera, offering a concise evening of drama in the heart of London.
Written by the Bravura editorial team from the ensemble's published programme and venue information. We don't reproduce copy from box-office sites. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Programme
- 01Tosca by Giacomo Puccini
Soloists
- Axelle Fanyo (Tosca)
- Chaz’men Williams-Ali (Cavaradossi)
- Christopher Purves (Scarpia)
- Craig Colclough (Scarpia)
