Background
Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (The Players) are today Italian opera’s most famous double act, but they were written independently. Cavalleria rusticana came first, its hugely successful premiere in 1890 doubtless an influence on Leoncavallo. His Pagliacci in 1892 was another triumph. The two works, each undeniable masterpieces of the verismo tradition of realism, share dramatic concision, melodic richness and an obsession with violent jealousy.
Mixed programme
These works are performed together:
Cavalleria rusticana
Damiano Michieletto’s Olivier Award-winning production of Mascagni’s greatest opera tells a tragic tale of forsaken love and violent revenge.
Credits
Music
Libretto
Director
Revival Director
Set designer
Costume designer
Lighting designer
Performers
- Santuzza
- Eva-Maria Westbroek
- Turiddu
- Aleksandrs Antonenko
- Mamma Lucia
- Elena Zilio
- Alfio
- Dimitri Platanias
- Lola
- Martina Belli
- Conductor
- Antonio Pappano
- Chorus
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Orchestra
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
- Concert Master
- Sergey Levitin
Pagliacci
Damiano Michieletto’s Olivier Award-winning production sets Leoncavallo’s thrilling opera of a violent jealousy in contemporary Sicily.
Credits
Music
Libretto
Director
Revival Director
Set designer
Costume designer
Lighting designer
Performers
- Conductor
- Antonio Pappano
- Canio
- Aleksandrs Antonenko
- Tonio
- Dimitri Platanias
- Nedda
- Carmen Giannattasio
- Silvio
- Dionysios Sourbis
- Beppe
- Benjamin Hulett
- Chorus
- Royal Opera Chorus
- Concert Master
- Sergey Levitin
- Orchestra
- Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
To find out more visit the Cavalleria rusticana / Pagliacci (2015) production page.