2018–19 Season

Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci

Music by Pietro Mascagni and Ruggero Leoncavallo

In a close-knit community, secret loves lead to fateful consequences.

For the first time in 15 years, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci return in a gripping double feature seething with the raw passion, jealousy and heartbreak that can only result from a scandalous, small-town affair.

Production New to San Francisco Opera

Meet the Cast

Libretti by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci & Ruggero Leoncavallo

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

See Photos

Hear the Music

Watch Videos

Pre-Opera Talks

Free to Ticketholders

For every performance, join us in the Orchestra section 55 minutes prior to curtain.

The Expert: Robert Hartwell

Learn about the opera’s music, characters, composer and historical background.

Watch the Video

Did you miss the Pre-Opera Talk? You can watch the video here.

REVIEWS

Cav/Pag … was an absolutely splendid display of vocal and theatrical sorcery, the kind of undertaking that leaves you eager to hear what else the company has lined up for this season.

San Francisco Chronicle

The singing from two distinct but intertwined casts was first-rate across the board.

San Francisco Chronicle

Synopsis

Romantic infidelity turns to tragedy for villagers and members of a small theater troupe.

Read Complete Synopsis ›

Cast and Creative

CAST

Turiddu	Roberto Aronica
Santuzza	Ekaterina Semenchuk
Alfio	Dimitri Platanias ^*
Lola	Laura Krumm
Mamma Lucia	Jill Grove
Canio	Marco Berti
Nedda	Lianna Haroutounian
Tonio	Dimitri Platanias ^*
Silvio	David Pershall
Beppe	Amitai Pati

PERFORMANCES

September 7, 12, 16, 19, 22, 28, 30, 2018

CREATIVE

Conductor	Daniele Callegari ^*
Production	José Cura ^*
Revival Director	Jose Maria Condemi
Set Designer	José Cura ^*
Costume Designer	Fernand Ruiz ^*
Original Lighting Designer	Olivier Wéry ^*
Revival Lighting Designer	Justin Partier
Fight Director	Dave Maier
Chorus Director	Ian Robertson
Choreographer	Lawrence Pech

* San Francisco Opera debut

An Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège production.

Previous performances of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci can be found in our Archive.

PROGRAM ARTICLES

Director's Note

For Argentine director José Cura, the Italian Quarter of Buenos Aires was a natural fit for the double bill.

Testimonies of Passion and Pride

Learn more about Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci in San Francisco.

True South: The Italianissimo Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci

Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci are quintessentially southern Italian, writes author Fred Plotkin.

VIEW PROGRAM

MADE POSSIBLE BY

Opening Weekend Grand Sponsor Diane B. Wilsey. Additional support is provided by: John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn; The Diana Dollar Knowles Foundation; the Edmund W. and Jeannik Méquet Littlefield Fund; Meyer Sound; and Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, through the Conductors Fund and the Great Interpreters of Italian Opera Fund; and Joan & David Traitel, through the Great Singers Fund.

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> View the 2018–19 season

Photo (top): Opéra Royal de Wallonie production of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci/Jacques Croisier.