Composer

:

Pietro Mascagni

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Publication Date

:

1890

First Performance

:

May 17, 1890

Average_duration

:

73:56

Movement_count

:

21

Movement ....

Cavalleria rusticana is an opera composed by Pietro Mascagni in 1890. The plot is set in a small Sicilian village on Easter Sunday and revolves around the love triangle between Turiddu, his former lover Lola, and his current fiancée Santuzza. Turiddu, a soldier, returns home to find that Lola has married Alfio, a wealthy carter. In an attempt to make Lola jealous, Turiddu seduces Santuzza, but when Lola discovers the affair, she seeks revenge by telling Alfio. The opera ends tragically with Turiddu being killed in a duel with Alfio. Cavalleria rusticana premiered on May 17, 1890, at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome, Italy. It was an instant success and quickly became one of the most popular operas of the time. The opera is known for its use of verismo, a style of Italian opera that emphasizes realism and focuses on the lives of ordinary people. The opera is divided into one act and is composed of several movements, including the famous Intermezzo. The Intermezzo is a musical interlude that occurs between scenes and is known for its beautiful melody and lush orchestration. The other movements include the opening chorus, the duet between Turiddu and Lola, the duet between Santuzza and Turiddu, and the final scene. One of the characteristics of Cavalleria rusticana is its use of folk melodies and rhythms. Mascagni incorporated traditional Sicilian folk music into the opera, giving it a distinct regional flavor. The opera is also known for its emotional intensity and dramatic power. The characters are complex and their motivations are often ambiguous, adding to the opera's realism. Overall, Cavalleria rusticana is a masterpiece of Italian opera and a testament to Mascagni's skill as a composer. Its popularity has endured for over a century, and it continues to be performed in opera houses around the world.

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