Cavalleria rusticana ("Rustic Chivalry") is an opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni to a libretto by Targioni-Tozzetti and Menasci, adapted from a short story by Giovanni Verga. It premiered on May 17, 1890 at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome. Since 1893, it has often been performed in a so-called "Cav/Pag" double bill with Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo. Sydney Opera House: one of the worlds most recognisable opera houses and landmarks. ... Pietro Mascagni (Livorno December 7, 1863 – Rome August 2, 1945) is one of the most important Italian opera composers of the turn of the 20th century. ... A libretto is the complete body of words used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, sacred or secular oratorio and cantata, musical, and ballet. ... Giovanni Verga. ... May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (138th in leap years). ... See also: 1889 in music, other events of 1890, 1891 in music and the list of years in music. Events September 9 - Edward Elgars concert overture Froissart is premiered at the Three Choirs Festival in Worcester George W. Johnson records phonograph cylinders First full performance of Hector Berliozs... The Teatro dellOpera di Roma (Rome Opera House) is an opera house in Rome, Italy. ... This article is about the capital of Italy. ... See also: 1892 in music, Other events of 1893, 1894 in music and the list of years in music. // Events February 9 - Premiere of Giuseppe Verdis final opera Falstaff in La Scala in Milan August 14-15 - Americas oldest music organization, the Stoughton Musical Society performs at the... Pagliacci (Clowns) is an opera in two acts written and composed by Ruggiero Leoncavallo. ... Ruggiero Leoncavallo (March 8, 1857 - August 9, 1919) was an Italian opera composer. ...

(The verismo composer Domenico Monleone also composed an opera with the same name which was premiered in Amsterdam, 1907, but it was soon withdrawn because of legal action taken by Mascagni.) Verismo was an Italian literary movement born approximately between 1875 and 1895. ...

Cast

• Santuzza, a young peasant (soprano).
• Turiddu, a young farmer (tenor).
• Lucia, his mother (alto).
• Alfio, a carrier (baritone).
• Lola, his wife (mezzo-soprano).

Synopsis

While the curtain is down, Turiddu sings. (Siciliana: "O Lola, lovely as the spring’s bright blooms.") The action takes place before the church. Devout pantomime by the church-goers; behind the scene, chorus of peasants. ("Queen of Heaven.") At last Santuzza and Lucia appear from opposite sides of the stage. (Santuzza: "Tell me, mamma Lucia.") Turiddu is the lover of Santuzza and she believes he has discarded her for Lola; she has seen him entering the young woman’s house. The carrier Alfio, the husband of Lola, appears with the chorus and also says that he has seen Turiddu, but thinks nothing wrong of it. When Lucia, who has sent her son to Frankofonte for wine, inquires further into the matter, she is asked to be silent by Santuzza. (Romanza: "Well do you know, good mamma.")

After the chorus with Alfio has departed, Santuzza recites her wrongs. Turiddu loved Lola, but after his service in the army found her married to Alfio. He then entered into relations with Santuzza, and is now turn­ing back to his former love. The alarmed Lucia enters the church with the peasants. Santuzza awaits Turiddu (Scene: "You, Santuzza"), who, however, treats her coldly and drives her to despair by leaving her and entering the church with Lola. (Duet:, Ah what folly"; Lola: "My king of roses.") "You shall suffer in blood for this," Santuzza exclaims, and discovers to the returning Alfio the unfaithfulness of Lola. (Duet: "God has sent you, neighbour Alfio.") Breathing vengeance, the carrier resolves to kill Turiddu and departs with Santuzza. During the following orchestral music (Intermezzo) the stage remains empty.

Turiddu, Lola and the chorus emerge from the church; Turiddu sings a drinking song ("Hail the red wine, richly flowing") and is then challenged by Alfio to a duel with knives after the manner of the Sicilians. Promising to follow Alfio he takes a moving farewell of his mother, and asks her to care for the unhappy Santuzza, whom he has so deeply wronged. After a short pause, Santuzza, followed by a crowd of women, rushes upon the stage, and with the stark cry of "Turiddu is dead," the opera ends abruptly.

Cavalleria rusticana, though it appears melodramatic by modern standards, is one of the few verismo operas that have consistently remained in the repertory. Poster for The Perils of Pauline (1914). ... Verismo was an Italian literary movement born approximately between 1875 and 1895. ...

Noted Arias

• "O Lola" (Turiddu)
• "Il Cavallo Scalpita" (Alfio)
• "Regina Coeli" (Chorus)
• "Voi lo sapete, o mamma" (Santuzza)
• "Ah! lo vedi, che hai tu detto?" (Turiddu and Santuzza)
• "Ad essi non perdono" (Alfio)
• Intermezzo
• "Viva il vino spumeggiante" (Turiddu)
• Addio alla madre (Turiddu)