Puccini's electrifying Tosca opens Vancouver Opera's 2026–27 season, starting October 24

Power, passion, and betrayal propel this emotionally charged co-production with Pacific Opera Victoria

SPONSORED POST BY Vancouver Opera

Tosca. Photo by Deanna Milligan, with art director Annie Mack and model Okwukwe Oji

Vancouver Opera’s 2026–27 season launches with Puccini’s Tosca, a gripping thriller of passion, politics, and betrayal set against the turmoil of Rome, circa 1800. Performances take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on October 24 and 29 at 7:30 pm, and November 1 at 2 pm.

Under the baton of Vancouver Opera music director Jacques Lacombe and the stage direction of Brenna Corner, artistic director of Pacific Opera Victoria, this acclaimed co-production with Pacific Opera Victoria pairs unforgettable music with edge-of-your-seat theatrical intensity for three exhilarating performances.

A story of power that’s propelled by one of Puccini’s most emotionally charged scores, Tosca delivers opera at its most thrilling. The tale unfolds over a breathless 24 hours, as celebrated singer Floria Tosca finds herself caught between the man she loves and a ruthless chief of police determined to possess her. Love, jealousy, artistic freedom, corruption, and personal sacrifice collide as Tosca is forced into an increasingly impossible confrontation with Scarpia.

“We are thrilled to have this Puccini blockbuster return to our stage for the first time in 13 years,” says Tom Wright, general director of Vancouver Opera. “From its explosive opening chords to some of the most recognizable and emotionally powerful music in the operatic repertoire, Tosca moves with the intensity of a political thriller.”

Catherine Thornsley as Tosca in Pucinni’s Tosca. Conducted by Giuseppe Pietraroia, directed by Brenna Corner, set and video design by Scott Reid, and lighting design by Michael Walton. Pacific Opera Victoria, 2026. Photo by David Cooper

Leading the cast is internationally acclaimed Lebanese-Canadian soprano Joyce El-Khoury, making her return to Vancouver Opera as Floria Tosca. Canadian tenor David Pomeroy also returns as her lover, revolutionary artist Mario Cavaradossi, with Canadian baritone Gregory Dahl channelling the formidable villain Baron Scarpia. They are joined by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, Vancouver Opera Chorus, and Vancouver Opera Children’s Chorus.

This production was first presented by Pacific Opera Victoria at Victoria’s Royal Theatre in February. Tosca is set in Rome in the year 1800, and the production brings a traditional atmosphere to the story through set and video design by Scott Reid, costume design by Kevin Knight, and lighting design by Michael Walton.

Tickets are available through the Vancouver Opera box office online or by phone at 604-683-0222. For more information about Vancouver Opera, visit vancouveropera.ca.

Post sponsored by Vancouver Opera.

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