Act 1 - 13: É arnese di pittore questo?
Tosca returns excitedly looking about for Cavaradossi. Scarpia conceals himself, still holding the Marchessa Attavanti's fan. The Sacristan remains in the sanctuary. Scarpia Tosca? She musn't see me! To bring about the undoing of a jealous lover, Iago had a handkerchief, I have a fan! Sacristan The painter? Who knows where he is. He's been spirited away by witchcraft. Tosca He's deceived me? No, he wouldn't lie to me. Scarpia reveals himself. Scarpia Divine Tosca, my hand awaits your delicate hand, not for gallantry, but to offer you holy water. You set a noble example. Filled with holy zeal, you draw from heaven that mastery of art, which gives life to religion. Tosca You're too kind. Scarpia Pious women are rare. You tread the stage, yet come to church to pray. You're not like some women who, behind the face of the penitent Magdalen are plotting their love affairs!					Tosca What? The proof? Scarpia shows Tosca the fan. By now, the church is beginning to fill with local local citizens of every rank. Scarpia Does a painter use this? Tosca A fan? Where did you find this? Scarpia There on the scaffold. Someone must have disturbed the lovers. She lost some feathers as she took flight! Tosca The coronet! The crest! It's the Attavanti! I knew it! Scarpia (My trick is working!) [ top ]