Baron Scarpia, the police chief of Rome, appears on most opera lovers’ lists of favorite villains, with his effortless hypocrisy and Dracula-like pleasure in his own evil. His black cape swirling as strutted around the stage, a leather riding quirt in his hand, the baritone Michael Chioldi gave a convincing portrait of a man wholly untroubled by conscience as he used spies and torture to pursue a sexual obsession.

Chioldi made a strong and aptly villainous impression. He brought lusty relish to his voice as he described Cavaradossi’s torture to Tosca, alternately bullying and cajoling her as her pursued his true goal.