Costaso

William Grant Still & Verna Arvey

​

William Grant Still’s Costaso is a sweeping three-act opera set in the Spanish-ruled American Southwest, with a story of passion, betrayal, and tragic sacrifice that recalls the intensity of Puccini’s Tosca. Like Puccini’s masterpiece, the plot pivots around a loving couple torn apart by the lust and jealousy of a corrupt authority figure, leading to escalating tension and a devastating climax. Still enriches the drama with soaring arias for the three principals, vibrant choruses, and a thrilling Act II duet between Costaso and his friend Manuel—its melodic brilliance often compared to Bernstein’s “Maria” from West Side Story. With its blend of verismo-inspired power, uniquely American setting, and Still’s distinctive musical voice, Costaso offers audiences both the familiarity of grand operatic passion and the excitement of discovering a rarely performed gem. Experiencing this work live is not only an immersion in gripping storytelling and lush orchestration but also a chance to celebrate the legacy of one of America’s greatest and most trailblazing composers.

​

At the heart of Costaso is the noble Lieutenant Ramon Costaso, a tenor whose passionate devotion to his wife echoes the ardent sincerity of Cavaradossi in Puccini’s Tosca. His wife, the soprano heroine, stands firmly in the tradition of Tosca herself—a woman of courage and vulnerability whose love makes her both radiant and tragic. Their closest confidant, Manuel, is a baritone whose loyalty and rich duet with Costaso recall the steadfast friendship of Rodrigo in Verdi’s Don Carlo. The opera’s antagonist, the Commandant, is a bass role written with Iago-like menace, bringing to mind the manipulative villains of Verdi’s darkest dramas. Around them circle vivid supporting characters: a jealous tenor assassin whose violence fuels the tragedy; Manuel’s mezzo-soprano wife, a warm and grounding presence akin to Suzuki in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly; and the envoy from Mexico City, a commanding bass who enters with the authority of Verdi’s Grand Inquisitor. Together, these roles form a tapestry of passion, betrayal, and loyalty that resonates with some of the most iconic archetypes in the operatic repertoire, while giving them new life through Still’s uniquely American voice.

​

Lieutenant Ramon Costaso (tenor)

A young officer whose unwavering love for his wife is tested by jealousy, betrayal, and the corruption of power. Like Puccini’s Cavaradossi (Tosca), Costaso is a man of honor and passion, his lyrical arias and sweeping duet with Manuel revealing a noble heart undone by forces beyond his control.

 

Costaso’s Wife (soprano)

A devoted and courageous woman whose faith in her husband is shattered by treachery. She stands in the tradition of Tosca herself: vulnerable yet strong, and ultimately swept into tragedy by the abuses of a powerful antagonist.

 

The Commandant (bass)

A jealous, manipulative officer whose desire and cruelty set the drama in motion. With shades of Verdi’s Iago, he embodies the archetype of the villain who wields authority to destroy love, his dark lines contrasting the lyrical warmth of the central couple.

 

Manuel (baritone)

Costaso’s loyal friend, whose rich voice and heartfelt Act II duet with the tenor evoke the steadfast nobility of Rodrigo in Verdi’s Don Carlo. Manuel represents friendship, loyalty, and integrity amidst the surrounding corruption.

 

Manuel’s Wife (mezzo-soprano)

A grounding, compassionate figure whose presence recalls Suzuki in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Her warmth and humanity provide emotional contrast to the darker forces of the opera.

 

The Assassin (tenor)

A ruthless figure whose violent actions heighten the tragedy. He stands as an echo of Verdi’s more sinister tenor characters, bringing volatility and danger to the story’s climax.

 

The Envoy from Mexico City (bass)

A dignified, authoritative figure whose arrival shifts the political stakes of the opera. Like Verdi’s Grand Inquisitor in Don Carlo, the Envoy embodies the weight of distant power, adding another layer of inevitability to the tragic ending.