Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry), premier in 1890, is a classic verismo opera, i.e., depicts everyday life, especially of contemporary lower classes, in contrast to the mythical subjects of Romantic operas. Pietro Mascagni’s (1863-1945) first, it remains extremely popular. The opera’s symphonic Intermezzo (T# 13) was the opening soundtrack of the film Raging Bull (play it - you will want to sing along), and the opera is featured in the climax of The Godfather Part III. Synopsis: Easter morning, a Sicilian village. Turiddu, a young villager, has returned from the army to find that his fiancée, Lola, has married Alfio (T# 2). In revenge, he seduces Santuzza. Lola, jealous of Santuzza, begins an adulterous affair with him. Santuzza, excommunicated for her ongoing liaison, asks Turridu’s mother, Lucia, a wine shop keeper, about his recent whereabouts (T# 4), and Alfio, suddenly stopping by, notes he saw him near his (Alfio’s) cottage in the early morning (T# 6). He leaves; Santuzza tells Lucia about her seduction and Turrido’s affair (T# 8). Turrido arrives, spurns Santuzza (T# 9) and enters the church, clearly following Lola. When Alfio returns, Santuzza reveals the affair (T# 12). As Turrido and the villagers exit the church, he invites them to his mother’s wine shop, and sings a drinking song (T# 15). Alfio, refusing to drink, challenges him to a dual. Following Sicilian custom, they embrace; Turiddu bites Alfio’s ear, signaling a fight to the death. He tells his mother to be kind to Santuzza if he is killed, and sings a farewell song (T# 17). Distant shouts. A woman stumbles in crying he is dead. Richard Tucker and Eileen Farrell were among opera’s great voices.

Ruggero Leoncavallo’s (1857-1919) Pagliacci (Clowns), premier in 1892, remains quite popular. Before the opera begins, the hunchback clown, Tonio, steps before the curtain to say that actors know the same joys and sorrows as other people. Act I. In a Southern Italian village, ca 1865-70, villagers mill about a small theatrical road company. Canio, head of the troupe, describes that night’s play, and angrily dismisses a joking suggestion that Tonio secretly desires his young wife, Nedda. Vesper bells call the women to church, the men to a tavern. Nedda, alone, and worried about discovery of her long-time affair with the villager, Silvio, sings of her freedom. Tonio appears and tries to seduce her, but she scorns him; he vows vengeance as she drives him away with a whip. Silvio arrives and persuades her to run away with him at midnight. Tonio overhears and tells Canio, who bursts in on them. Silvio escapes, and Nedda refuses to identify him. Tonio advises waiting until evening to catch the lover. Canio sobs that he must play the clown though his heart is breaking (T# 12), the opera’s most famous aria. Act II. The villagers, including Silvio, come to see the play, Pagliaccio e Colombina. Colombina [Nedda] is serenaded by her lover Arlecchino [Beppe], who dismisses her buffoonish servant, Taddeo [Tonio]. The sweethearts plot to poison Pagliaccio [Canio], who soon arrives; Arlecchino [Beppe] escapes. Taddeo [Tonio] maliciously assures Pagliaccio [Canio] of his wife’s innocence, igniting Canio’s real-life jealousy. He abandons the script, demands the name of Nedda’s lover, while she tries to continue the play. Maddened by her defiance, Canio stabs her and then, as he rushes forward to help her, Silvio. Canio cries out, “The comedy is finished.” Franco Corelli’s was another great voice.

1. [Disc 1]. Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana. Preludio 2:27
2. O Lola Ch'Hai Di Latti La Cammisa 5:28. Lovely lament.
3. Ah! Gli Aranci Olezzano 8:44. Happy gathering.
4. Dite, Mamma Lucia 4:27. Long intro. Unhappy duet.
5. Il Cavallo Scalpita 2:37. A hearty peasant approaches.
6. Beato Voi, Compar Alfio 1:03. Greetings. I saw him. Chorale.
7. Regina Coeli 7:06. Queen of Heaven (an ancient Latin Marian hymn of the Christian Church). Chorale.
8. Voi Lo Sapete, O Mamma 6:21. Lola and Turiddu love each other, and I weep! A beautiful outpouring of Santuzza’s grief.
9. Tu Qui, Santuzza? 3:29. The spurning
10. Fior Di Giaggiola 3:12 Fleur-da-lys, Lola sings: no angels in heaven are as handsome as Turiddu.
11. Ah! Lo Vedi Che Hai Tu Detto? 5:49
12. Oh! Il Signore Vi Manda...Turiddu Mi Tolse 5:21, Alfio learns from Santuzza of his wife’s infidelity, swears revenge.
13. Intermezzo 4:09.
14. A Casa, A Casa, Amici 2:47. To my house, friends. Simple joys
15. Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante 2:41. Hoist a glass.
16. A Voi Tutti Salute! 4:47. Tension grows and challenge is made.
17. Mamma, Quel Vino È Generoso 5:40. Heartrending, beautiful.

1. [Disc 2] Leoncavallo: Pagliacci. Prologo 2:44
2. Act 1: Si Può? Si Può? 4:56 You think so? You think so? Pride displayed musically.
3. Act 1: Son Qua! 2:09. I’m here! A bit of celebration of the clowns.
4. Act 1: Un Grande Spettacolo A Ventitré Ore 2:37. A grand performance an hour before sunset.
5. Act 1: Un Tal Gioco, Credetemi 2:45. Such a game is better not played!
6. Act 1: I Zampognari! 4:12. The famous, joyous “Chorus of the Bells.”
7. Act 1: Qual Fiamma Avea Nel Guardo!.. Stridono Lassù 4:45. Nedda muses over her infidelity, then lightens her mood, thinking of “Birds without number,” musically evoked.
8. Act 1: Sei Là? So Ben Che Difforme 4:28. Tonio comes a calling, poor besotted man.
9. Act 1: Nedda! Silvio! 5:08. The happy lovers serenade.
10. Act 1: E Allor Perché, Di' Tu M'Hai Stregato 3:51. Thou hast bewitched me.
11. Act 1: Cammina Adagio E Li Sorprenderai! 4:21. Walk slowly and surprise them!
12. Act 1: Recitar!...Vesti La Giubba 3:55. Canio sobbing, “Put on the costume.”
13. Intermezzo 3:34. A reprise of melodies.
14. Act 2: Ohè! Ohè! Presto, Affrettiamoci 2:53 Hurry, friends. Music summons
15. Act 2: Pagliaccio, Mio Marito - O Colombina 4:10. Light-hearted lovers
16. Act 2: È Dessa! 3:21. Some humor.
17. Act 2: Arlecchin! Colombina! 1:45. Light-hearted again.
18. Act 2: Versa Il Filtro Ne La Tazza Sua! 2:26. Neither the filter nor the cup. The play begins dramatically to dissolve, the audience not at first suspecting.
19. Act 2: No, Pagliaccio Non Son 6:01. “No, I am not Pagliaccio; if my face is pale, it’s from shame, and lust for revenge!” Confrontation, Anguish, Death.