Photos from 2009 Life Sciences LIVE at the Opera
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE
13th Annual Life Sciences LIVE at the Opera
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
SAN DIEGO OPERA
Civic Theatre, 3rd and B Streets, Downtown San Diego
ABOUT THE EVENT:
For the past twelve years, San Diego’s Biotech Community has gathered together for an evening of exceptional networking and world-class opera. Originally known as BIOCOM Goes to the Opera, Life Sciences LIVE continues to serve as an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the leading executives, investors, and research scientists in Southern California.
PRE-OPERA NETWORKING RECEPTION - 5:30 PM
The evening begins with an elegant, private Pre-opera reception where you’ll savor lavish hors d’oeuvres and wine as you network with your peers.
Puccini's Tosca - 7:00 PM
This stunning operatic thriller entangles a passionate diva, a revolutionary artist and a corrupt police chief in a love triangle of passion and politics, playing out through exquisite music in the seductive, dangerous “Eternal City” of Rome.
DESSERT RECEPTION-7:45 PM
The Melting Pot© La Jolla is proud to sponsor a scrumptious dessert reception for the Life Sciences crowd during the first Intermission. The menu will feature your choice of chocolate fondue – milk chocolate with caramel and pecans or pure dark chocolate – served over fresh strawberries, pound cake and brownies.
The Melting Pot - Dessert Reception Sponsor
SPECIAL TICKET PACKAGES ARE REQUIRED:
The Prices Outlined Below for Life Sciences LIVE at the Opera Include:
- Admission to the Pre-Opera Networking Reception
- A Premier Seat for Tosca on Wednesday, February 4, 2009
- Admission to the Dessert Reception, Sponsored by The Melting Pot© La Jolla
To Purchase Tickets*
Packages must be purchased in advance through Bonnie Keller at San Diego Opera
- email: Bonnie.Keller@sdopera.com
- phone: 619-533-7044
Ticket Pricing
| Section |
All Inclusive Prices |
|---|---|
| B3, B4 | $150 |
| B2 | $170 |
| B1, DC3, MZ3 | $195 |
| UL, DC2, MZ2 | $225 |
| DC1, MZ1, LL | $265 |
| Orchestra | $265 |
Not sure where to sit?
This new online feature allows you to see the view from every section of the theatre.
View from a Seat!
*Please note that All sales are final. no refunds or exchanges. cast and repertoire are subject to change. seating subject to availability.
Questions?
Bonnie Keller will be happy to address any questions leading up to the event. Please contact her directly at 619.533.7044 or Bonnie.Keller@sdopera.com
San Diego Opera Thanks
our Generous Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
2009 Official Media Sponsor
2009 Community Partners
Tosca
The Story
Sex, politics, corruption, violence and torture: Tosca is a story that could be ripped from the pages of today’s newspapers as a beautiful woman risks everything to save her lover in an oppressive police state. The resulting love triangle of the passionate diva, the revolutionary artist who loves her and the corrupt police chief who lusts after her, results in murder and suicide in Puccini’s stunning operatic thriller.
The Music
Soaring and sensuous melodies, great arias such as the soprano’s plaintive "Vissi d’arte", the tenor’s moving "É lucevan le stelle" as he faces death, and the brilliant chorus in Act One, create an atmosphere of such power and raw emotion that you will be left breathless. Melodies you have long loved dominate a score of exquisite beauty.
The Look
Rome’s Sant'Andrea della Valle church, the luxurious Palazzo Farnese apartments and the prison Castel Sant’Angelo are faithfully recreated on stage, drawing you into a seductive world of beauty and danger in the Eternal City.
Cast Highlights
Having just thrilled the Paris Opera as the lovers Tosca and Cavaradossi, French soprano Sylvie Valayre and American tenor Marcus Haddock make their San Diego Opera debuts, combining great voices with dramatic commitment. Scarpia is Greer Grimsley, whose dark baritone voice makes him a favorite villain, and Edoardo Müller conducts Puccini’s masterpiece with true Italian verve and experience.
The running time is approximately 2 hours, 41 minutes.
Tosca
ACT I
The Church of Sant' Andrea della Valle
Angelotti, an escaped political prisoner, runs into the Attavanti chapel in the church of Sant' Andrea della Valle. He hides as a Sacristan is heard. Mario Cavaradossi enters to work on his portrait of Mary Magdalene – inspired by the Marchesa Attavanti (Angelotti's sister), whom he has seen but does not know. He compares the raven beauty of the singer Floria Tosca with that of the blonde Magdalene. When the Sacristan leaves, Angelotti comes out of hiding and is recognized by Cavaradossi, who gives him food and hurries him back into the chapel as Tosca is heard calling outside. She jealously questions Cavaradossi, and reminds him of their rendezvous that evening at his villa. Recognizing the Marchesa Attavanti in the painting, she explodes, but he reassures Tosca he is not having an affair with her. After she has gone, Mario and Angelotti flee to Mario's villa. Soon after, the Sacristan returns with choirboys, announcing a celebration. Baron Scarpia, chief of the secret police, searches for Angelotti. Tosca returns looking for Cavaradossi, and in comes Scarpia who shows her a fan which he has just found, decorated with the Attavanti crest. Thinking Mario faithless, Tosca tearfully vows vengeance and leaves. Scarpia sends his men to follow her and schemes to get her in his power.
ACT II
The Farnese Palace
In the Farnese Palace, Scarpia acknowledges his lust for Tosca. The spy Spoletta arrives with Mario, who is interrogated as Tosca's voice is heard singing a cantata downstairs. She enters as her lover is being taken to an adjoining room to be tortured. Unnerved by his screams, she reveals Angelotti's hiding place at the villa. Realizing what has happened, Mario turns on Tosca, but the officer Sciarrone rushes in announcing that Napoleon has won the Battle of Marengo, a defeat for Scarpia's side. Mario shouts his defiance and is dragged out. Scarpia suggests Tosca yield herself to him in exchange for her lover's life. Fighting off his embraces, she protests her fate to God, having dedicated her life to art and love. Under pressure from Scarpia, Tosca is forced to give in or see her lover killed. In front of Tosca, Scarpia orders a mock execution for the prisoner, after which he is to be freed. When Scarpia writes a safe-conduct for the lovers, Tosca snatches a knife from the table and kills him. Wrenching the document from his fingers, she slips from the room.
ACT III
The roof of Castel Sant'Angelo
Awaiting execution at the Castel Sant'Angelo, Mario bribes the jailer to take a farewell note to Tosca. Writing it, overcome with memories of love, he gives way to despair. Tosca runs in telling him that it will be a mock execution and they will be able to escape. As the firing squad appears, she coaches Mario on how to fake his death convincingly. The soldiers fire and depart. Tosca urges Mario to hurry and get up, but when he fails to move, she discovers that Scarpia's treachery has reached from beyond the grave: the bullets were real. Calling out that she and Scarpia will meet before God, Tosca leaps to her death.