CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA
Music by Pietro Mascagni, Libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci based on the story and play by Giovanni Verga
I PAGLIACCI
Music and libretto by Ruggiero Leoncavallo after a newspaper crime story
First performed on May 21, 1892 in Milan
Sponsored by:
September 24 & 26
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Two operas, two betrayed husbands, two tragic ends.
In Cavalleria Rusticana the calm of a Sicilian Easter morning is broken by a jilted lover who sets off a chain of events culminating in tragedy.
In true theatrical tradition I Pagliacci's clown tries to go on with the show, but his real life humiliation and despair lead to a grim climax.
ENRICHMENT
CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA excerpt from the Brown-Forman 2010 Fall Season Preview CD. Highlights of key dramatic and musical themes.
I PAGLIACCI excerpt from the Brown-Forman 2010 Fall Season Preview CD. Highlights of key dramatic and musical themes.
Lunch & Listen | Wednesday, September 8 | 12 noon
A collaboration with WUOL Louisville Public Media, produced in front of a live audience, featuring musical excerpts from Cavalleria Rusticana | I Pagliacci and interviews and commentaries by David Roth.
Louisville Public Media | 619 South Fourth Street
RSVP: Kate Kleinert at 502.587.8681
Sights & Sounds | Sunday, September 12 | 1:30pm
A partnership with The Speed Art Museum, Kentucky Opera staff and guest speakers that explores an aspect from each opera as it relates to a similar theme in visual arts at that time.
The Speed Art Museum Auditorium | 2035 South Third Street
ARTISTIC TEAM
Director: Kristine McIntyre
Conductor: Richard Buckley
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Santuzza Kara Shay Thomson |
Alfio Lester Lynch |
Turiddu Michael Wade Lee |
Mamma Lucia Rebekah Bortz Hardin |
I PAGLIACCI
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Canio John Mac Master |
Nedda Elizabeth Caballero |
Tonio Lester Lynch |
Silvio Michael Mayes |
CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA
Place: A village in Sicily
Time: An Easter Sunday in the 1890’s
Intermezzo (Cavalleria Rusticana)
Vesti La Guiba (I Pagliacci)
Act I - A public square in a Sicilian village on Easter morning.
As church bells ring, the villagers are seen going to church. Santuzza is upset and approaches Mamma Lucia’s house. Mamma Lucia appears and Santuzza asks for Turiddu, but his mother tells her that he has gone to fetch wine for the tavern. Santuzza tells Mamma Lucia that she has been seduced by Turiddu and is now pregnant. Their conversation is interrupted by Alfio. Alfio brags of his career as a carrier and the beauty of his wife Lola (Il cavallo scalpita). Alfio also asks for Turiddu and is told that Turiddu is fetching wine. Alfio comments that he saw Turiddu that morning near his own cottage. Alfio leaves and the villagers sing the Easter hymn (Inneggiamo, il Signor non e morto).
Mamma Lucia asks Santuzza to explain Turiddu’s appearance near Alfio’s cottage. Santuzza tells her that Lola was once Turiddu’s lover, but when he left to join the army, she married Alfio. When Turiddu returned, he and Santuzza began their affair and she became pregnant. Now Turiddu is now seeing Lola again during her husband’s many absences. Santuzza feels that she has sinned and is unable to go into the church. Mamma Lucia feels sorry for Santuzza and will pray for her.
Turiddu enters and Santuzza accuses him of lying about his whereabouts. Turiddu admits that he’d be in trouble if Alfio found out about his trysts with Lola. Santuzza is upset. Lola enters (Fior di giaggiolo), makes fun of Santuzza and enters the church. Turiddu follows her in spite of Santuzza’s entreaties.
Alfio arrives looking for Lola. Santuzza tells him of Lola’s faithlessness (Turiddu mi tolse l’onore). Alfio is furious. He and Santuzza leave.
The congregation leaves the church including Turiddu and Lola. Turiddu invites his friends to come to his mother’s tavern for drinks (Viva il vino spumeggiante). Alfio reappears and Turiddu offers him a drink, which is refused. The women feel there is trouble brewing and leave, taking Lola with them. Alfio challenged Turiddu to a duel. Turiddu tells his mother that he’s going away (Mamma, quel vino e generoso) and he asks her to look after Santuzza. Turiddu leaves a crying Mamma Lucia who is being comforted by Santuzza.
It is reported that Turiddu has been murdered (Hanno ammazzato compare Turiddu) and as Mamma Lucia is supported by the women, Santuzza faints.
I PAGLIACCI
Place: Montalto, in Calabria
Time: Between 1865-70 during the Feast of the Assumption (August 15)
Vesti La Guiba
PrologueTonio announces that this story is about real people (Si puo? Signore Signori).
Act I – The village square
Celebrations are underway for the Feast of the Assumption. A travelling group of actors has arrived and are preparing for their performance. Canio, the leader of the troupe, invites the entire village to attend their performance at eleven o’clock. Tonio tries to help Nedda (Canio’s wife) from the travelling wagon, but Canio pushes him aside. One of the villagers jokes that Tonio is in love with Nedda. Canio replies that he would kill Tonio if that were true (Un tal gioco).
Alone, Nedda is concerned about her husband’s behavior. She hears the birds sing and she reflects on their freedom and her childhood (Oh! che volo d’augelli). The lovesick Tonio enters the wagon and tries to kiss Nedda. She slaps him across the face and he leaves muttering that he will get revenge.
Silvio (Nedda’s lover) enters and tells Nedda that they are safe since Canio is drinking at the local inn. He asks her to elope with him that evening. They agree to meet that evening after the play (E allor perche, di’, tu m’hai stregato). Tonio has been eavesdropping on their conversation and he leaves to get Canio. Canio appears just as Nedda calls after Silvio. With knife in hand, Canio rushes to kill Nedda’s lover, but Nedda blocks his path and Silvio gets away. Canio demands to know his name, but Nedda refuses. Tonio and Beppe stop Canio from stabbing Nedda telling him that Nedda’s lover will be at the play tonight and he should wait. Canio dresses in his clown costume and sings of his pain (Vesti la giubba). He sings that the clown must make others laugh, even though he is in pain.
Act II – The village square
The play begins. Colombina’s (Nedda) husband Pagliaccio (Canio) is away. Taddeo (Tonio) is away at the market and she is waiting for her lover Harlequin (Beppe). Harlequin arrives and sings to Colombina (O Colombina, il tenero fido Arlecchin). Taddeo returns and tries to seduce Colombina. Colombina orders Harlequin to throw out Taddeo. Harlequin has brought a sleeping potion for Pagliaccio. Taddeo rushes in and tells them that Pagliaccio is on his way, furious with Colombina. Harlequin escapes through the window, instructing Colombina to pour the sleeping potion into Pagliaacio’s drink. The furious Pagliaccio enters and Colombina swears she is alone, except for Taddeo who is hiding in the cupboard. Canio is losing control and loses his character, demanding to know who Nedda’s lover is. Nedda tries to maintain the play but Canio becomes more insistent. Frustrated, Canio grabs a knife and demands the lover’s name. Nedda rushes into the crowd, but Canio catches her and stabs her. Silvio rushes to her aid, but Canio kills him as well. Canio remarks that the comedy is over (La commedia e finita).
