Pietro Mascagni

Franco Zeffirelli: Cavalleria Rusticana

Дзеффирелли: Сельская честь

Based on a drama by Giovanni Verga, "Cavalleria Rusticana" relates the lives and passions of simple Sicilian peasants. It was the first opera of the "verismo", or realist, school. Turiddu has long been one of Placido Domingo's finest roles, infused with passion and musical intensity. Franco Zeffirelli has masterminded a brilliantly naturalistic filming of this opera, shooting it on location in a small Sicilian town. The Russian mezzo-soprano Elena Obraztsova is a moving Santuzza, totally convincing in her passionate dejection.

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Actors

Santuzza

Elena Obraztsova

Turiddu

Placido Domingo

Alfio

Renato Bruson

Lucia

Fedora Barbieri

Lola

Axelle Gall

Crew

Director

Franco Zeffirelli

Conductor

Georges Prêtre

Costume designer

Anna Anni

Set designer

Gianni Quaranta

About

Turiddu, a young Sicilian peasant, falls in love again with his former fian- cée, Lola, who is now married to another man. His present sweetheart, a young peasant girl named Santuzza, tries desperately to win him back. When Turiddu rejects Santuzza, she vows to take revenge and denounces the lovers. She then regrets her deed, but it is too late. Lola’s husband has already challenged Turiddu toa duel to death...

Franco Zeffirelli has masterminded a brilliant filming of this opera. By shooting on location in Sicily, he has succeeded in capturing the spirit and flavor of this major work. Using hundreds of real Sicilian characters, in a grandiose produc- tion embracing the Sicilian town and surrounding countryside, he has brought the production out of the opera house and has dramatically surpassed the limits of the opera film. With the charming streets and public squares and the original architecture of Vizzini as a setting, Zeffirelli’s CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA truly recreates the color and authentic atmosphere of the Easter celebration.

Stars of the opera world — Placido Domingo, Elena Obraztsova, Renato Bru- son-perform and bring to life the passion and drama of local life. True to the composers intention of “verismo”, the realism of the traditional Sici- lian atmosphere and the dramatic performances of this famous cast-make this a very special film, providing the audience with a unique experience in opera enjoyment.

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Summary

A village in Sicily, circa 1900. At dawn on Easter Sunday, Turiddu sings in the distance of his love for Lola, wife of the carter Alfio. She and Turiddu had been a couple before he joined the army. When he returned and found her married to Alfio, he seduced Santuzza but now has abandoned her and rekindled his relationship with Lola. Later in the morning, a distraught Santuzza approaches the tavern of Mamma Lucia, Turiddu’s mother, who tells her that her son is away buying wine. But Santuzza knows that Turiddu has been seen during the night in the village. Alfio arrives with a group of men, boasting of his horses—and of Lola. He asks Mamma Lucia if she has any more of her good wine. When she says that Turiddu has gone to get more, Alfio replies that he saw him near his house that same morning. Lucia is surprised, but Santuzza tells her to keep quiet. As the villagers follow the procession to church, Santuzza stays behind and pours out her grief about Turiddu to Mamma Lucia. The old woman expresses her pity, then also leaves for Mass. Turiddu arrives in the piazza. When Santuzza confronts him about his affair with Lola, he denies her accusations. Just then Lola passes by on her way to church. She mocks Santuzza, and Turiddu turns to follow her. Santuzza begs him to stay and implores him not to abandon her. Refusing to listen, Turiddu leaves, and Santuzza curses him. Alfio appears, late for Mass. Santuzza tells him that Lola went to church with Turiddu and reveals that she has been cheating on him. In a rage, Alfio swears to get even and rushes off, leaving behind the now conscience-stricken Santuzza.