‘Tosca’: Backstage with the Los Angeles Times

A support crew sets up a soft landing for Sondra Radvanovsky as she falls backward off the stage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Michael John, who plays the villianous Scarpia’s henchman, in makeup before going on stage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Placido Domingo conducting from the pit.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Assistant conductor Christopher Allen, left, and conducting musician Timm Boatman backstage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Tenor Marco Berti, who sings the lead role of Mario Cavaradossi, warms up in his dressing room.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A scene in Act III as seen from backstage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A cast member takes a break between scenes.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Children’s Chorus member Logan Galimi, 10, gets his hair and makeup done by Bia Iftikhar.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Musicians and members of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus gather before the start of the Opera.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus hustle up the stairs to the stage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Parents of members of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus wait backstage while their children perform.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky gets two thumbs up from her assistant Mary Lehman just before stepping on stage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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For the record: This photo slide earlier called the assembled members of the Los Angeles Master Chorus. They are members of the Los Angeles Opera Chorus.

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Members of the Los Angeles Opera Chorus sing backstage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

The stage crew in action during a scene change.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A scene in Act III as viewed from backstage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

The cast and chorus get help with a quick change between scenes just off the stage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Cast member Michael John gets his picture taken with Placido Domingo.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

The costumed cast and chorus await their turn on stage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A dummy corpse awaits it turn on stage.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)