Home page

Cavalleria Rusticana

The Saturday Performance

The second part of Preston Opera's "double bill" was the Mascagni favourite Cavalleria Rusticana. The leading roles were taken by Gary Davis as Turiddu, Laura Hudson as Santuzza, Michael Seager 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 opera starts with the ladies chorus singing of the delights of spring. 

 

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

 

 A small group from the ladies chorus.

The full chorus in front of the church  


"Where is Turiddu?" Santuzza suspects Turiddu is unfaithful.

Alfio enters and sings of his life as a carter and of his love for his wife Lola. 

 

Chorus begin the famous Easter Hymn.

 

"He has conquered the power of the grave"


"He has risen in glory..."


Santuzza opens her heart to Mamma Lucia.


"Have mercy on her....."


Santuzza confronts Turiddu about his relationship with Lola. "Do you love her?"

 



Lola flutters her eyelids at Turiddu before spotting Santuzza.....



Santuzza is rejected by Turiddu and sobs alone outside the church.

 

Santuzza tells Alfio the truth about Lola's affair with Turiddu.

 

 

After the service the chorus sing, with some dramatic irony, about the "Happy Easter Day."

 

Turiddu exits the church with Lola and .....


.....leads the chorus in a rousing drinking song. 


Turiddu challenges Alfio to a duel in the traditional Sicilian manner (recently copied by a certain heavyweight boxer).

 

Fearing the worst Turiddu begs Mamma to look after Santuzza. 


Santuzza and Lucia watch in horror as Alfio kills Turiddu. 


The priest ministers to Turiddu as Alfio strikes out at Lola.


The full chorus accept well deserved applause at the curtain call. 


The principals take a bow to loud applause.

 

Click here to return to top of page