MASCAGNI: Cavalleria Rusticana

The masterpiece that defined verismo in opera: Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry). Orquestra e Coro del Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Ricardo Muti conducting (1996).

Great drama. Full-throated, passionate singing. The works. Bravi!

Part 1

Overture. Turridu serenading an ex-lover, Lola.

Part 2

Villagers preparing for Easter Mass.

Part 3

The Easter Procession. Chorus with Santuzza.

Part 4

Santuzza confiding about Turridu's infidelity to his mother, Mamma Lucia. Santuzza confronts Turridu. The lovers' quarrel. Turridu's ex-lover Lola passes by.

Part 5

The quarrel resumes. The Great Duet. Turridu pushes Santuzza to the ground. Santuzza utters a curse. Lola's husband, Alfio passes by. Santuzza tells him of the affair between Lola and Turridu. Alfio demands revenge.

Part 6

Intermezzo-one of the most beautiful and tender pieces of music ever written. The lull before the storm. Celebrations after the Easter Mass. Chorus. Turridu sings the Brindisi, or drinking song.

Part 7

Finale. Turridu bids farewell to Mamma Lucia, his mother after accepting a challenge for a duel with Alfio. Turridu gets killed in the duel.