Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci

Synopsis

Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni

       It is Easter and the curtain rises to the tolling of bells, the scene depicting an empty public square in a village in Sicily. As the music grows louder and more joyful, the peasants and villagers cross the square in joyous harmonies dedicated to spring, some heading to church, others staying for the walk.

       The tone of the music changes when Santuzza appears and meets Mamma Lucia, who was just coming out of the wine cellar. The girl was looking for Turiddu and asks his mother why she can't find him at home. Lucia answers agitatedly that he went to look for wine in the nearby town. Santuzza claims that Turiddu was seen in the village the previous night.

       Alfio the cartman enters the scene, cheerful and handsome, and asks Mamma Lucia for some of his old wine. He replies that her son is away to fetch more liquor, but he also confirms that he saw Turiddu that morning near his house. People enter the church, and in the end only two women remain - Santuzza and Lucia.

       Santuzza begins her famous aria "You know it", in which she reveals the bitterness of her story to the old woman. He tells her that before he left for the army, Turiddu was engaged to Lola. On his return from military service he finds her married to Alfio. To console himself he sang his love to Santuzza, and she fell madly in love with him, and out of jealousy and envy Lola lured him back into her arms. Once again, Santuzza wants to make every effort to win back the man she loves, as well as his love. Shocked, Lucia slowly walks towards the church, leaving the girl alone. At that moment Turiddu appears, looking surprised at the sight of Santuzza. Trying to evade the girl's accusations, Turiddu scolds her for suspicions and chases her away. Left alone, she cursed him.

       Singing a merry song, "Fior di Giaggiolo”, Lola makes her appearance crossing the square on her way to church. Turiddu wants to go with her, but Santuzza tries to stop him. He angrily turns to Santuzza, who desperately tries to prevent him from entering the church, while begging him not to leave it. In a fit of rage, he throws her to the ground and runs into the church. Santuzza curses him and calls him a traitor. Alfio returns looking for Lola and finds Santuzza. Humiliated, she tells him that Lola and Turiddu are attending the service together and that they are lovers again. Alfio looks horrified and vows cruel revenge. Far too late Santuzza realizes what her remark just caused. They both leave.

       As the superb symphony intermezzo comes to an end, the villagers and peasants leave the church in a spirit of joy. Chanting "Toast”, Turiddu invites people to a glass of wine. Suddenly Alfio appears and Turiddu invites him to join, but Turiddu refuses, remarking that he might be poisoned. Turiddu throws the wine in public insulting the opponent. Women retreat in fear. According to Sicilian custom, Turiddu bites Alfio's ear as a sign of a duel. Alfio leaves to meet his opponent later at the appointed place. Turiddu bids his mother a fond farewell and asks her to take care of Santuzza, to be like a mother to him in case he never returns, then leaves. Santuzza appears and takes Mamma Lucia in her arms. People gather in a restless crowd. Cries are heard that Turiddu has been killed. Everyone is horrified, and Santuzza and Mamma Lucia collapse to the ground in pain.

Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo

        Prolog
       The drama is opened by a prologue, in an impressive manner. Tonio, the hunchbacked jester appears before the curtain to announce that the plot of the play is a true story. Through the words "I was coming! Initiated!” begins a grandiose show about powerful human emotion.

        Act I.
       A theater troupe makes an appearance in the village and they are welcomed by the rowdy villagers. Canio beats his drum loudly to establish silence, then invites the crowd to participate in that evening's performance of the great Pagliaccio. Tonio rushes to help Nedda out of the caravan, but is pushed hard and slapped across the face by the jealous Canio. Whispering threats against Canio, Tonio retreats to the makeshift theater. The crowd begins to laugh and Canio, under the pressure of anger, intones that if he found his beloved with a lover, it would mean the end of her. A few villagers invite him for a glass of wine. Peppe joins in too. Left alone, Nedda ponders Canio's strange exit. Trying to banish oppressive thoughts he sings about the free and joyful flight of birds (Stridono lassù). Tonio appears and as he stalks menacingly towards Nedda, she hits him across the face with a whip. Shouting vengeance, Tonio walks away.

       Silvio makes his appearance, and the theme of love begins to vibrate with the orchestra. Nedda is afraid because he ventured to visit her at that hour, but he had seen Canio and Beppe at the village tavern and thinks he is safe. Silvio begs Nedda to end this way of life and run away with him instead. She promises to meet him that night after the play is over. Hearing the discussion, Tonio goes after Canio. Silvio disappears into the night followed by Canio shouting in anger. Dagger in hand he returns, asking Nedda for her lover's name. Beppe enters in time and separates the two, throwing away the dagger. In a very troubled state and deep despair Canio has to play his part in the play that evening. Voicing the tragic destiny of a little girl, she sings the famous aria "Wear the jacket”, then disappears into the theater.

        Act II.
       The cheerful chorus of villagers express their joy and enthusiasm for the show and sit on the benches set up in front of the theater. Silvio made his appearance and cautiously approached Nedda who was just passing by with a plate to collect the money of the spectators. He takes the chance and tries to whisper a warning to Silvio.

       After a long preparation, the show finally begins. Colombina - Nedda - is waiting for her lover, Arlecchino - Beppe. Her husband Pagliaccio – Canio – is absent and will return later that evening. In place of Arlecchino appears the dull servant, Taddeo – Tonio, declaring his love for Colombina. Ignoring him, she walks to the window and waves to Arlecchino as he serenades her "O Colombina, il tenero fide Arlecchin". Canio returns early and Arlecchino manages to sneak through the window.

       As part of the performance Nedda repeats her parting words to Silvio "A stanotte e per semper tua sarò". This scene intensifies Canio's anger and he immediately asks Nedda – Colombina – to tell him the name of his lover, but she refuses. Bewildered, the villagers realize that the play is beginning to take shape in real life. Unexpectedly, Canio stabs Nedda, then Silvio who jumps to the aid of the woman he loves. Canio then drops the dagger and with a deep sigh exclaims the swan line of the show: "The comedy is over!".