Weeks 10-12 | Cavalleria Rusticana (Opera In One Act) | Maria Callas: The Complete Studio Recordings
Composed by Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945). Libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti & Guido Menasci. Libretto based on a short story by Giovanni Verga.
Premiered May 17, 1890 at Teatro Costanzi in Rome.
Setting: A Sicilian village on Easter Sunday
Cast:
Santuzza, a peasant girl (Soprano)
Lucia, mother of Turiddu (Contralto)
Alfio, a village teamster & husband of Lola (Baritone)
Turiddu, a young soldier (Tenor)
Lola, wife of Alfio (Mezzo-soprano)
An inside look at this opera by the Seattle Opera: https://www.seattleoperablog.com/2020/09/an-inside-look-at-cavalleria-rusticana.html
I’m losing a little steam sharing here online but the listening project is still thriving in private. These past few weeks, I’ve been listening to Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945). He was a composer who studied at the Milan Conservatory with Amilcare Ponchielli (the composer of the first opera in this listening project, La Gioconda). Cavalleria Rusticana is a one act opera that Mascagni wrote for a competition. It won first prize and premiered in Rome in May 1890. The opera was an immediate hit that made Mascagni famous overnight.
The opening prelude is heart-wrenchingly beautiful and the music overall is so moving (even without knowing the words). The first time I listened to the music with the libretto, I had a whole new experience of the story. I can only imagine how the experience of this opera will change if I am able to see it performed live (or if I had been able to see Maria Callas sing the role of the heartbroken Santuzza - her singing in this opera gives me goosebumps).
This opera has me wondering about how absurd and perplexing romantic love can be - especially when it defies logic. You sense each character is genuinely driven by their emotions but from the distance you can see the suffering in store for everyone and it’s hard not to wonder why it must be this way (there are no winners in the end!). And so many of these emotions are present in our lives today — Turiddu’s untamed passion, Santuzza’s agony from being seduced and then scorned, Alfio’s innocent, oblivious love and eventual rage at being betrayed, Lola’s indifference for others, and then the helpless love of a mother watching her son navigating a path leading to his downfall. All these mini-stories are captured in Mascagni’s music.
On a personal note, I was amazed to make the connection (from old photos) that my mom played the role of Turiddu’s mother – Mamma Lucia - when she was a singer in Korea before she came to the US. It is incredible to see the music and story transcend the original language and culture of its origin. Opera’s magic (along with so many of the arts) is that they can really capture something at the core of what it means to be human.
This is another opera that I love so much. Am I just lucky that the first four in this listening project are ones that resonated with me or will I love them all?
Here is short summary of my experience of all of the songs from this opera:
Preludio | O Lola Ch'hai Di Latti La Cammisa | Preludio conclusion: Such a dramatic start to the opera. When I hear this now, I sense all the drama of the story contained in the music. It’s incredible how the music can hold so much.
Gli Aranci Olezzano: I feel like this is an introduction to the village - a happy place on Easter Sunday morning where the birds are singing and children are dancing and playing.
Dite, Mamma Lucia: We are introduced to Santuzza who is with Mamma Lucia and asking if she knows where Turiddu is.
Il Cavallo Scalpita | Beato Voi Compar Alfio: Alfio arrives memorably to the sound of a whip and bells from his horses. He sings about how lucky he is to be married to his beautiful, loyal wife. The musical theme from these songs return in other songs when Alfio appears.
Regina Coeli, Laetare; Alleluja! [Queen of heaven, rejoice; Alleluiah! ] | Immeggiamo, Il Signor Non È Morto: The organ leading into this song is so striking to me. The hymn is gorgeous - it really does feel like being lifted to the heavens especially when Santuzza’s voice joins in.
Voi Lo Sapete, O Mamma: Santuzza’s singing here is so powerful. After joining the Chorus singing the Easter hymn, Santuzza reveals her story and that of Turiddu and Lola to Mamma Lucia. These lines sung by Maria Callas make me shiver: Me l’ha rapito! [She stole him from me!].
Tu Qui, Santuzza? | Fior Di Giaggiolo | Ah! Lo Vedi, Che Hai Tu Detto?: Turiddu arrives and Santuzza confronts him about his affair with Lola. Lola makes an appearance and non-chalantly enters the church for Easter mass.
No, No, Turiddu, Rimani, Rimani Ancora: Such a moving song with Santuzza pleading with Turiddu not to abandon her. Another song that makes me shiver!
Oh! Il Signore Vi Manda, Compar Alfio!: This is the moment Turiddu’s fate is sealed when Santuzza reveals the affair to Alfio.
Intermezzo: A gorgeous orchestral piece. Apparently famously used in commercials and also famously featured in Godfather III along with other parts of this opera.
A Casa, A Casa Amici | Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante: Townspeople gather to celebrate. Lola notices Alfio is not there while the villagers sing a drinking song.
A Voi Tutti, Salute!: Alfio enters and confronts Turiddu.
Mamma, Quel Vino È Generoso: Turiddu asks his mom to care for Santuzza if he doesn't make it home.