Tosca Reduced Orchestration
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Reduced Orchestration: 1(picc)011 1100 stgs harp timp/perc organ (opt)
Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Harp, Timpani/Percussion, Organ (optional but recommended), Single Strings (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) OR Multiple Strings (an enlarged string section).
This reduced orchestration of Puccini’s Tosca is aimed for performance using thirteen players (inc organ) including a single string quintet, OR a slightly larger orchestra containing an expanded string section (different combinations of additional string players are possible). The string parts are flexible and include many areas with differing notes depending on whether they are being performed with a single string quintet or a larger string section.
The organ part is as Puccini wrote it and only appears in the ‘te deum’ at the end of Act 1 (it is sometimes played ‘off-stage’). The part is optional as the organ music is written into the wind parts in the event that an organ is not available. However, an organ is highly recommended even in small-scale productions. NB the organ can also be used for the Act 2 off-stage cantata.
The Timpani/Percussion is arranged for one player and contains all of Puccini’s Timpani/Percussion material. It is possible for one player to play most of this material, though a second player could be added.
This reduction was created in 2000 and received its first run of performances at Iford Manor as part of Iford Arts in the UK. It was performed in both 2008 (with Amanda Echalaz in the title role) and 2017 (with Mari Wyn Williams in the title role) by Opera Project at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol. It was subsequently revised and performed in 2019 by Mid Wales Opera (with Elin Pritchard in the title role).
The essence of Puccini’s music was unmistakably here and was very well articulated.”
Thanks not least to the drama of the reduced-orchestra score, compressing a wealth of lyrical colour into an urgent tapestry.”
For more information or to hire this Tosca reduced orchestration, please contact usWith Jonathan Lyness’s imaginative re-orchestration and supple yet taut conducting, this is a ‘Tosca’ that has to be seen.”