Opera San Jose’s ‘Tosca’ star feels she was destined for iconic role

Maria Natale is deep in rehearsals for Opera San Jose’s production of “Tosca.” It’s her first time singing the opera’s passionate and artistic title character, Floria Tosca, but she says it’s a role that fits her like a glove.

“I’m more than thrilled to be singing this role,” the soprano said in a recent interview. “It’s going very well; it’s a beautiful production and the cast is stellar.  I’m just so excited.”

Directed by Tara Branham and conducted by Opera San Jose music director Joseph Marcheso, Natale tops a cast that also includes tenor Adrian Kramer as Cavaradossi and baritone Kidon Choi as Scarpia. The production runs April 15-30 at the California Theatre.

Natale, originally from Southern California and now based in New York, has wanted to sing the role of Tosca “since I was a kid,” she said. Her grandfather was an opera prodigy at Pittsburgh Opera, and when she was 10, he told her she would one day sing Tosca.

“Ever since then, opera’s just been part of my life,” she said.

Natale has appeared in previous Opera San Jose productions of “Pagliacci,” “Madama Butterfly” and “Die Fledermaus,” and sang the role of the Countess Almaviva earlier this season in the company’s innovative Bollywood production of “The Marriage of Figaro.” It was her second time in the role, and she says it was good to return to Mozart’s opera.

“But now I think Tosca is more of a fit for my voice,” she said.  “I sing mostly verismo; my voice is more Italianate.”

Shawna Lucey, Opera San Jose’s general director, agrees, adding that she’s been thrilled to witness Natale’s work in those diverse roles for the company. Now she has nothing but praise for the soprano’s Tosca.

“Maria has been a great gem here at Opera San Jose,” she said. “We’re so excited to have her back as she’s growing into this rep. Listening to her sing in rehearsals, this is definitely the right direction for her; she’s also such a stage animal, and her voice is so vibrant. I know our audiences are in for a real treat.”

Lucey noted that both she and Natale have young children.  “She’s the mother of a toddler — and I would say this has expanded not just her artistry, but her humanity. This is exactly the right moment for her to take on one of opera’s great heroines.”

As for the opera’s male principals — Kramer, singing the role of Cavaradossi, and Choi as Scarpia — Lucey said they’re also exceeding expectations. Both are singing their roles for the first time.

“Adrian is just the complete Cavaradossi — he’s a great singer, and he’s been on Maestro Marcheso’s list to join us for a while. And Choi has that big baritone voice for the villain’s role. His Scarpia is nothing short of terrifying. So the stars have really aligned,” she said.

This production marks Branham’s mainstage directing debut for Opera San Jose, and also her final work as a resident director with the company. Lucey said that the Chicago-based theater and opera director has done excellent work throughout her residency, and is lending a thrilling sense of urgency to the new production.

The two directors met in 2021, she recalled, when Lucey was directing “Tosca” at San Francisco Opera.

At that time, Khori Dastoor, Opera San Jose’s previous general director, had already put “Tosca” on the company’s 2023 calendar; Lucey said that she and Dastoor agreed that Branham was their first choice of directors.

“From her work in Chicago, Tara has a real affinity for text and dramaturgy,” Lucey said. “She’s incredibly collaborative. This production is really a culmination of her time here as resident stage director.”

For Natale, the rehearsal process has been remarkable, both instructive and revelatory; Branham, she says, has lent the cast great support and insight. “She’s hands-down amazing,” said the soprano. “She really wants to create something new, to make the characters human — to make them real.

“I try to get it out of my head that this role is iconic, because it’s different for every person who sings it,” Natale added. “That’s what’s great about opera – it’s different every time.”

Contact Georgia Rowe at [email protected].

‘TOSCA’

By Giacomo Puccini, presented by Opera San Jose

When: April 15-30

Where: California Theatre, 345 S. 1st St., San Jose

Tickets: $55-$195; 408-437-4450; operasj.org