Cavalleria Rusticana

Mascagni's one-act opera, Cavalleria Rusticana (rustic chivalry), runs just 90 minutes and is a perfect introduction to the world of opera, as well as a treat for seasoned audiences. Sung in concert style, this powerful one-act "verismo" (realistic) opera peeks into the lives of simple village folk as they celebrate the holy day festivities in their Sicilian village on Easter Sunday. All is not church services and holiday feasts, however. Love, betrayal and vengeful rage are portrayed with passionate singing and intense emotion. Coursing through the story is the music of Mascagni, with quiet passages making the cries of passion ever more poignant. The lush, beautiful melodies were made popular among the masses through the Hollywood blockbuster The Godfather. A young tenor sings the tragic role of Turiddu, the philandering soldier who becomes involved with all the wrong women. The betrayed Santuzza's "Voi lo sapete, o mamma" is opera's best-known aria. Cavalleria Rusticana is performed in Italian with English subtitles by the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra and MacPhail's Sonomento.