LOVE and politics collide in the gripping thriller Tosca, which is to be broadcast live from the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden at Cardigan’s Theatr Mwldan on Wednesday, February 7 (7.15pm).

Tosca is one of the great evenings of opera, combining drama, passion and glorious music. From its strident opening chords, it conjures up a world of political instability and menace.

This handsome production throws into relief the ruthlessly taut drama, as the tension is wound up towards a fateful conclusion.

Puccini’s meticulously researched score is infused with the same authentic detail, from distant cannon fire during the Act I Te Deum to tolling church bells and the sounds of a firing squad.

Tosca remains one of the most performed of all operas – with its gripping plot and glorious music, it’s easy to see why.

Instantly recognisable music from Tosca has been used countless times in film and television, most memorably as the soundtrack to an action scene in the James Bond thriller Quantum of Solace.

Set in Rome, the story follows painter Mario Cavaradossi who is captured and sentenced to death by Scarpia, the sadistic Chief of Police. Mario’s life can be saved and his freedom granted providing, his lover, Tosca, gives herself to Scarpia.

This production is conducted by Dan Ettinger and stars the Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka as Tosca.

Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja sings the role of Cavaradossi, alongside Canadian bass-baritone Gerald Finley, singing the role of Scarpia.

The performance lasts three hours and includes two intervals which feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and creative team.

Tosca is sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Tickets for Royal Opera House screenings are £16 (£15) and are available now from Theatr Mwldan’s box office on 01239 621200, online at www.mwldan.co.uk or via the new MWLDAN app.

The Royal Opera House leads the way for world-class opera and ballet to be experienced in cinemas and on a variety of digital platforms.

More than 400,000 people in the UK saw a Royal Opera or Royal Ballet production in their local cinema during the 2015/16 season, an eight per cent increase on the previous year, with the number of venues having increased to more than 450 sites.