Cavalleria rusticana

This is an impressive production from Bologna, conducted by Riccardo Muti. The set is an Italian piazza with tenements and a church. I liked the way people were going about their everyday business in the tenement windows, but not intruding on the opera action. I also loved the authenticity of the chorus. In an excellent cast, José Cura is outstanding. The version I saw came without subtitles so, with my limited Italian, I lost some of the nuances of the plot but there was a compensating gain in my appreciation of Mascagni's sumptuous score.

This one act, one set opera does have its problems. The best music is in the purely orchestral intermezzo. The dramatic highlight is the duel, which takes place offstage. Zeffirelli, in his 1982 film, got round these problems by dramatising the intermezzo and showing the duel. That is one solution but this film makes a persuasive case for filming the opera as Mascagni conceived it.

Cavalleria Rusticana is a very special opera to me. Story-wise it isn't a favourite, but musically I just adore it especially for the Intermezzo, Easter Hymm, Mama Quel Vino Generoso and the scene between Santuzza and Alfio. And it has been special to me ever since performing in the chorus for four years ago aged 15, and that is an experience I shall never forget. This is not my favourite Cavalleria, that is either the Zeffirelli film or the production with Cossotto as Santuzza and Karajan conducting. That said, it is still excellent, with great authenticity in the chorus and lively and emotional conducting from Riccardo Muti. The costumes and sets are attractive, with interesting staging where the chorus for example go about their business without intruding too much with the main action. The cast are equally as good. Waltraud Meier is very passionate as Santuzza and Jose Cura gives a fine performance as Turridu. Paolo Gavanelli is a strong Alfio, Lucia is appropriately poignant and Lola sensual. All in all, excellent production. 9/10 Bethany Cox