Mario Cavaradossi wasn't supposed to die, but when Tosca realized the executioners' bullets had been real, she also knew she was caught red-handed for murder.
When the officials came to take her away, she jumped from the top of the building, choosing rather to die than be captured and continue living without her love.
Then curtain and applause.
The second and final showing of "Tosca" was performed by UF faculty, students and staff in front of 1,022 people at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Saturday.
"I think the male performers are fabulous," said Vibeke Vala, who said she'd seen this opera 10 times, although it's not her favorite.
Cavaradossi was played by Michael Austin, a Broadway performer who flew in only two weeks before the debut to rehearse with the cast.
Danielle Porcellini, a sophomore and musical theater major at UF, said working with Austin was a wonderful opportunity.
"It's so great working with professionals because you gain so much knowledge," she said. "His professionalism rubbed off on all of us."
