“Tosca” or “La Traviata” NYT Crossword Clue
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer to the NYT Crossword clue “Tosca or La Traviata” is OPERA.
Explanation:
“Tosca” and “La Traviata” are both famous operas, which is why the answer is OPERA. Let’s break it down:
- Tosca:
- “Tosca” is an opera by Giacomo Puccini, first performed in 1900. The opera is set in Rome and features a dramatic plot involving love, betrayal, and political intrigue. The central character, Floria Tosca, is a famous opera singer who becomes embroiled in a tragic series of events involving the corrupt police chief Scarpia and her lover, Cavaradossi.
- La Traviata:
- “La Traviata” is an opera by Giuseppe Verdi, first performed in 1853. The story follows Violetta, a Parisian courtesan who falls in love with Alfredo Germont. However, societal pressures and personal sacrifice lead to tragedy. “La Traviata” is known for its beautiful arias, including the famous “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” (the drinking song).
Both of these operas are iconic works in the world of classical music and opera. Their inclusion in the crossword clue points to the general category of opera, as they are among the most well-known and frequently performed operas worldwide.
In crossword puzzles, clues often provide hints that lead to broader categories, and here the focus is on the shared genre of the works. The clue doesn’t require knowledge of specific details from either opera but instead connects them by their genre, making OPERA the correct and concise solution.
Thus, the answer is OPERA, as both “Tosca” and “La Traviata” are prominent examples of the genre.