Carmen Giannattasio is one of the consummate singing actresses of today, her soprano able to take on a wide range of repertoire that includes the works of Verdi, Puccini, Leoncavallo, Bellini, Rossini, and Donizetti.

In recent years, we’ve seen her move into more dramatic territory with recent forays into such works as “I Masnadieri.” Now she is taking another step into territory that will continue to challenge her artistry as she makes her role debut in Puccini’s “Tosca” at the San Francisco Opera. Incidentally, this is also her house debut and her first performance in the United States since a sensational run of “La Traviata” at the Met Opera in 2017. Of that performance, OperaWire wrote “Giannattasio’s full-bodied approach, eschewing cute restraint for passionate commitment to survival, was powerfully resonant and the perfect way for this production to have met its maker.”

In these performances as the famed Puccini heroine, Giannattasio will be joined by tenor Brian Jagde and baritone Scott Hendricks.

For those unable to make any of the nine performances in San Francisco between Oct. 3 and 30, the Italian soprano will be taking on the title role in “Maria Stuarda” at the Théâtre Champs-Elysées, followed by a run of “Norma” in Munich and then “Don Carlo” at Las Palmas. Other incoming performances include “Un Ballo in Maschera,” “Giovanna D’Arco,” and “Ermione.”

Recordings

Giannattasio has recordings of “Ermione,” “Simon Boccanegra,” “Caterina Cornaro,” “Il Pirata,” “La Donna del Lago,” “Parisina,” the Verdi Requiem, “Il Marito Disperato,” “Robert le Diable,” and a DVD of “Pagliacci” from the Royal Opera House, among others.

Here is the soprano with the famous “Vissi d’arte” from “Tosca,” giving us a preview of what is coming soon.