Opera at Giants' AT & T Park

About 26,000 people spread across the pitch and nearly filled the stands at the Giants' AT & T ballpark last night for a free live broadcast of Puccini's opera, Tosca.

The simulcast is an annual event at the ballpark and was part of the opening week of the San Francisco Opera's 2009 summer season, titled 'Summer of Seduction.'

Performed in Italian with English subtitles, it was relayed from the War Memorial Opera House onto the Giants' massive screen, the Jumbotron.

'An idealistic artist, a celebrated singer and a corrupt police chief engage in a fierce battle of wills in this tempestuous tale of cruelty and deception,' says the SFO website. 'With its themes of political intrigue, sexual intimidation and official hypocrisy, Puccini’s great melodrama set in 1800 is anything but dated.'

In the title role and making her debut for the company was Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, with baritone Lado Ataneli as Scarpia, while tenor Carlo Ventre played Cavaradossi.

Tosca opened last Tuesday and runs until June 26.

Next, as part of the Summer of Seduction, is Porgy and Bess with a George Gershwin score, followed by Verdi's La Traviata, which ends on July 5.

Opera lovers can look forward to a second free opera performance, Verdi's Il Trovatore, to be shown at the ballpark on Saturday, September 19.

For more info: sfopera.com

For pics of the event by Chris on Flickr click here