CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA

(Rustic Chivalry) Composer: PIETRO MASCAGNI Book by G. Tarcron1-Tozzett1 and G. Menasct, from a story Giovanni Verga First performance: Teatro Costanzi, Rome, May 17, 1890 by I act. Santuzza has been loved and deserted by Turiddu, local Don Juan. He now loves Lola who is married to Alfio. When Santuzza pleads with him on Easter morning to marry her to protect her from the scandal that must be he knocks her down. As Lola and Turiddu go into Ma they laugh at her. This is too much for Santuzza who finds Alfio and tells him that Lola and Turiddu are carrying on together and are at the moment in the church. Alfio picks a fight with Turiddu and they go off to duel. Mama Lucia, Santuzza’s mother, stays with her to hear the result. When the crowd comes running back crying that Alfio has killed Turiddu, Santuzza swoons into her mother’s arms.