Mascagni: Opera "Cavalleria Rusticana" (SHM-CD)

Introduction

3rd Release of Karajan's Masterpiece Recordings 1600: "Karajan and His Magnificent Soloists"

This masterpiece of verismo opera was recorded by Karajan in 1965, conducting La Scala in Milan.

Set on the island of Sicily at the end of the 19th century, this tale of the tragic love between the young Turiddu and the village girl Santuzza unfolds on Easter Day. Under Karajan's direction, renowned singers such as Cossotto and Bergonzi, as well as a traditional choir and orchestra, dramatically unfold the drama.

Programme Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Melodrama in One Act (Libretto: Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasi) 1. Prelude

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Siciliana 2. "Ah, Laura in her milky chemise" (Turiddu) 3. (Tempo I)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene 1, Introductory Chorus 4. (Allegro giocoso) 5. "Among the Green" (Chorus)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene 2, Scene 6. (Largo) 7. "Tell me, Mother Lucia" (Santuzza, Lucia)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene 3 Alfio's Saltita 8. "The horses clattered their hooves" (Alfio, Chorus)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene and Prayer 9. "Alfio, you always seem so cheerful and happy" (Lucia, Alfio, Santuzza) 10. "Queen of Heaven, be glad" (Chorus) 11. "Let us sing praises" (Santuzza, Lucia, Chorus)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene 4, Romanza and Scene 12. "As your mother knows" (Santuzza, Lucia)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene 5, Scene 13. "Santuzza, are you here?" (Turiddu, Santuzza)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene 6 Lola's Stornello 14. "Gladiolus" (Lola, Turiddu, Santuzza)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene 7, Duet 15. "Ah, have you seen it?" (Turiddu, Santuzza)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene 8, Duet 16. "Ah, Alfio, the Lord has sent you!" (Santuzza, Alfio) 17. "Santa, I thank you then!" (Alfio, Santuzza) 18. Symphonic Intermezzo

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene 9 Scene, Chorus and Toast 19. "My Friends" (Chorus, Turiddu, Laura) 20. "In a Shining Glass" (Turiddu, Chorus, Laura)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scene 10, Finale 21. "Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen" (Alfio, Chorus, Turiddu, Laura)

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana, Scenes 11 and 12 22. "Mother, that's a good wine" (Turiddu, Lucia, Santuzza)

Media Reviews and More

Commemorating the 25th anniversary of Herbert von Karajan's death (as of 2014), the third release of the 1600 Karajan Masterpieces series, "Karajan and the Magnificent Soloists." This album features Mascagni's opera "Cavalleria Rusticana," Karajan's first recording at La Scala in nine years (1965). Like Leoncavallo's opera "Pagliacci," which was recorded at the same time, this is a masterpiece that brings out the rich sound from the excellent singers, choir, and orchestra. (C)RS