Cavalleria Rusticana

The Friday Performance

The second part of Preston Opera's "double bill" was the Mascagni favourite Cavalleria Rusticana. The leading roles were taken by Chris Dodd as Turiddu, Marie Louise Lane as Santuzza, Arthur Baines as Alfio, Rebecca Noblet as Lola and Susan Bradley as Lucia. This late Victorian melodrama with memorable tunes and strong story line came as an interesting contrast to the tragic love story Dido and Aeneas which preceded it. The excellent set was beautifully lit to show the warm colours of a Sicilian village to great advantage. The audience responded well to some excellent singing from principals and chorus. Under the baton of Robin Newton, the Preston Opera Orchestra did full justice to the Mascagni score. It was particular interesting to see the final knife- fight on rather than off-stage even though the music makes this difficult to achieve. 

 

The ladies of the chorus create an attractive and colourful opening to the opera.

 

After a hard day's work the men enter to start the celebrations of Easter Day.

 

Santuzza is in love with Turiddu who has now turned his attentions to his old flame Lola. Santuzza is at her wits-end because she has been "dishonoured" and is now excommunicate. She cannot enter the Church.

 

Alfio enters.....

 

....and sings of the joys of his life as a carter....and of his wife Lola.

 

 

The chorus sing the famous "Easter Hymn" at the start of the service.

 

Although excommunicated  Santuzza joins the devotions outside the Church.

 

 

 

 

Unable to enter the Church, a distraught Santuzza begs Lucia to say a prayer for her.

 

 

Santuzza confronts Turiddu and he accuses her of spying on him.

 

Mamma Lucia tries to comfort Santuzza

The dramatic moment when Lola flirts with Turiddu and then suddenly sees Santuzza.

Santuzza appeals to Turiddu to renew his love for her. Turiddu refuses and, losing his temper, throws her to the ground. He enters the Church alone.

Santuzza reveals to Alfio that Lola has been unfaithful to him with Turiddu.  Alfio vows revenge

Turiddu leads the chorus in a lively brindisi. His drinking, however proves a fatal liability in his coming duel with Alfio.

"There is poison in it" Alfio refuses to drink with Turiddu.

Turiddu bites Alfio's ear in the traditional Sicilian challenge.

 

Turiddu asks for his mother's blessing as he prepares to meet Alfio.

 

 

The priests seem to do little to stop the duel... and Turiddu falls dead at Alfio's feet.

 

"Turiddu is dead" Lola screams and Mamma Lucia supports Santuzza.

 

The final curtain call with conductor Robin Newton and producer Marilyn Taylor.

 

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