Cavalleria rusticana

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. Director Åke Falck adds a cinematic
dimension to what would otherwise be a fairly straightforward screen
document of celebrated director Giorgio Strehler's La Scala production by
means of outdoor shots of Sicily's splendid landscapes during the overture
and intermezzo. Combined with the lavish set and costumes by Luciano
Damiani, these images intensify the feeling of a sultry southern landscape
as a background to the inflamed passions and violence of the action. As
Santuzza, Fiorenza Cossotto's passionate intensity make a good contrast to
Adriana Martino's gaily-dressed, light-hearted Lola. Gianfranco Cecchele
makes a rakish Turiddù, and Giangiacomo Guelfi is a strong, swaggering,
confident Alfio. The production was filmed in 1968.

Composer:	Pietro Mascagni
Title:	Cavalleria rusticana
Conductor:	Herbert von Karajan
Staged By:	Giorgio Strehler
Soloist:	Fiorenza Cossotto, Gianfranco Cecchele, Anna di Stasio, Giangiacomo Guelfi, Adriana Martino
Set:	Luciano Damiani
Orchestra:	Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala
Chorus:	Coro del Teatro alla Scala
Video Director:	Åke Falck
Genre:	Opera
Length:	73 minutes
Cat.No.:	A05003131