Overview
Synopsis
A story deeply rooted in love, betrayal, and a couple love triangles, Cavalleria Rusticana (English: Rustic Chivalry) follows Turiddu and his discarded lover, Santuzza. Turiddu had returned home from military service to find that his fiancée, Lola, had married another man. In his revenge, he seduced Santuzza to make Lola jealous. Discarded, Santuzza is sorrowful and devastated as she sees Turiddu and Lola begin an affair. In a moment of jealousy, she tells Lola’s husband, Alfio, about the infidelity, but immediately regrets her actions. Alfio and Turiddu agree to a formal duel while Santuzza remains behind with Turiddu’s mother for the results. Shouts are heard, and Turiddu is announced as being killed.
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Context
Mascagni had only begun writing two other operas before Cavalleria Rusticana, which skyrocketed him into the opera world, making him internationally famous at the age of 26. In 1888, Mascagni entered into a competition for young Italian composers who had not yet had a work of theirs performed. The works would be judged by some of the most famous Italian composers and critics of the time. Mascagni and his friend, Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti, entered the competition on a whim, sending their
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After returning from the military, Turiddu discovers that his fiancée, Lola, has not waited for him, and instead married Alfio. Attempting to make Lola jealous, Turiddu seduces Santuzza, a young village girl. Lola is so jealous of Santuzza, that she starts an affair with Turiddu, betraying her husband. Turiddu sings about his former fiancée, before the town starts to stir (O Lola bianca). Santuzza comes looking for Turiddu at his mother’s Tavern. She finds his
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Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Cavalleria Rusticana.
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Songs
- Prelude and Siciliana: O Lola bianca (Turiddu)
- Chorus: Gli aranci olezzano (Chorus)
- Scena: Dite, mamma Lucia (Santuzza, Lucia)
- Aria: Il cavallo scalpita (Alfio, Chorus)
- Scena: Beato voi, compar’ Alfio (Lucia, Alfio, Santuzza)
- Easter Hymn 'Regina Coeli, laetare' (Santuzza, Lucia, Chorus)
- Romanza and Scena: Voi lo sapete, o mamma (Santuzza, Lucia)
- Duet: Tu qui Santuzza? (Turiddu, Santuzza)
- Arioso: Fior di giaggiolo (Lola, Turiddu, Santuzza)
- Duet: Ah! lo vedi (Turiddu, Santuzza)
- Duet: Oh! Il Signore vi manda (Santuzza, Alfio)
- Intermezzo
- Scena, Chorus, and Brindisi: A casa, a casa, amici! (Lola, Turiddu, Chorus)
- Finale: A voi tutti, salute! (Alfio, Turiddu, Lola, Lucia, Santuzza, Chorus)
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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