The year is 1800, the city is Rome and Mario Cavaradossi, a painter and revolutionary, is in love with the beautiful singer Tosca. Baron Scarpia, the chief of police, covets Tosca for himself, setting the stage for one of opera’s great tragedies.

When a political prisoner and ally of Mario escapes, Mario is apprehended for questioning. Revealing nothing, he’s dragged away for execution. Scarpia makes a bargain with Tosca: If she yields to his advances for one night, he’ll arrange a mock execution. She reluctantly agrees, but then fatally stabs Scarpia before hurrying to the terrace of the Castel Sant’Angelo, where Mario is about to be shot.