The Sept. 25 performance of “Tosca” at the Wiener Staatsoper was interrupted abruptly in Act two.

According to reports, after a long first intermission of more than 45 minutes, director Bogdan Roščić announced that the stage machinery was failing. As a result, Act two, which is originally set at the Palazzo Farnese, was performed on the ramp with the curtain closed.

The production by Margarethe Wallmann had its premiere in 1958  with costumes by Nicola Benois. Renata Tebaldi famously premiered the production which has been performed by many legendary artists.

“Tosca” is currently starring Jonathan Tetelman, Elena Stikhina, and Ludovic Tézier. Pier Giorgio Morandi conducts. The first run of performances runs through Sept. 29, 2025.