Tosca

Cesare Angelotti, a political prisoner, rushes into the church to escape capture. He finds a hidden key for his sister and hides in his family's private chapel, aware that the police are searching for him. His escape marks the beginning of the unfolding events in Rome, June 1800.

The painter Mario Cavaradossi arrives to work on his portrait of Mary Magdalene within the church. He recognizes Angelotti and promises to help him, establishing a connection between their stories. The painting is inspired by Angelotti's sister, the Marchesa Attavanti.

Floria Tosca, Cavaradossi's lover, arrives at the church and confronts him about his conversations, jealous of any possible infidelity. She is suspicious about his interactions, especially after recognizing the Marchesa Attavanti in his painting. Their tension reveals her concerns and love.

Angelotti reappears after Tosca leaves and attempts to escape again. As police discover his hiding spot, he commits suicide to avoid capture, intensifying the urgency in the narrative. His death occurs as authorities close in.

Baron Scarpia, the chief of secret police, arrives searching for Angelotti, and he finds a fan with the Attavanti crest, implying Cavaradossi's involvement. Tosca's suspicion deepens, and Scarpia begins to manipulate her to locate Angelotti.

In his chambers at Palazzo Farnese, Scarpia anticipates controlling Tosca. He receives news that Angelotti is dead and Cavaradossi has been captured, setting the stage for his manipulative plans to seize Tosca’s loyalty and obedience.

While being interrogated and tortured, Cavaradossi refuses to betray Angelotti but is eventually broken by the pain and the threat of execution. He admits to his connection with Angelotti, which escalates Scarpia's plans for his death.

Faced with the possibility of losing Cavaradossi, Tosca reluctantly agrees to Scarpia's demand for her to give herself to him if she wants her lover to be spared. She pretends to comply, but secretly plans her own revenge against him.

When Scarpia attempts to force himself on Tosca, she uses a knife to stab him, killing him in her desperation. She then takes the safe-conduct pass, which allows her to escape, leaving behind her tormentor’s dead body.

On the morning of his execution, Cavaradossi writes a farewell letter to Tosca and prepares to be executed on the ramparts of Castel Sant'Angelo. He is overcome with emotion and despair as he awaits his fate.

Tosca arrives to warn Cavaradossi and convinces him to fake his death. After the soldiers fire, she witnesses his apparent death, but when she realizes she has been betrayed and that he is truly dead, she jumps to her death from the battlement.