Cavalleria rusticana

Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana is a beautiful work, full of beautiful motifs and memorable characters. This version is exquisite to look at, with lovely close ups of the beaches of Italy. Herbert Von Karajan conducts with his usual artistic flair, and it shows here. The music is gorgeous, with the beautiful Intermezzo, the gorgeous Easter Hymn,the rousing drinking-song and the heart-rending tenor aria "Mama, Quel Vino Generoso". I sang in the chorus for this and Pagliacci, and was reduced to tears to the extent of the beauty of both operas. I do prefer Karajan's Pagliacci, as the storyline is more dramatic, same with the music. I will admit, the story here is a bit weak, but saved with stunning sets and incredible singing from the likes of Fiorenza Cossotto, who had established herself as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos alive, as well as the most underrated. I really liked also GianFranco Cecchele as Turridu(like Bergonzi in terms of voice), and GianGiacomo Guelfi as Alfio. All in all, 9/10 for a beautifully-filmed and beautifully- performed opera, though not as good as Karajan's version of Pagliacci of 1968 with Jon Vickers. Bethany Cox