Opera «Tosca»

   A singer, a painter and a police chief are locked into a single Roman night in which every choice costs somebody everything. If you have been meaning to try opera in Hanoi, this is the plot that does the persuading for you.

   Puccini built «Tosca» around a distinctly unromantic question: how do people hold on to their dignity once they are cornered? Floria Tosca loves the painter Mario Cavaradossi; Baron Scarpia, who runs the city's police, treats that love as a lever. Nobody in the story gets to make a clean decision.

   The production comes from the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, with artistic direction by Emeritus Artist Phan Manh Duc (Phan Mạnh Đức), staging by Jeong Ae Ree and Dong Quang Vinh (Đồng Quang Vinh) conducting. The company brings its own chorus, symphony orchestra and ballet group, joined by the Hanoi Voices international chorus and a junior chorus.

   Two casts share the principal roles:

• — Floria Tosca — To Loan (Tố Loan) and Huong Diep (Hương Diệp)
• — Mario Cavaradossi — Thanh Binh (Thanh Bình) and Truong Linh (Trường Linh)
• — Baron Scarpia — Khac Hoa (Khắc Hòa)
• — Sagrestano — Khanh Cuong (Khánh Cường); Cesare Angelotti — Dinh Khanh (Đình Khánh)
• — Spoletta — Anh Vu (Anh Vũ); Sciarrone — Canh Tran (Cảnh Trần); Carceriere — Thanh Dat (Thành Đạt)

   There are two performances, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September. The cast rotates between them, so if you want a particular singer, ask the box office which night they are on before you book.

   The theatre stands on Hang Bai in the old centre, a short walk from Hoan Kiem Lake, which makes an easy evening of it if you are staying anywhere around the lake.

   Tickets come in three price bands and are sold by the promoter directly; you can book over Zalo on 0965.765.946 or through the event's ticket page.

   Three acts, one night, and a heroine who runs out of good options — worth clearing the evening for.