Search - Mascagni, Di Stefano, Simionato :: Cavalleria Rusticana (Milan 1955)

I love this opera!!!

03/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a performance! If you can purchase this opera, do so without any hesitation. Its short, intense, and based on a true story. Mascagni's father (I believe) was in the legal profession and his opera is based on an actual court case.Get to the review! This is a powerful performance. Simionato performs wonderfully as the "wronged" Santuzza. She had a long and distinguished career and always was a strong performer. Guelfi performs admirably as Alfio, the cuckoled husband. But the star of this performance is Di Stefano. His performance is nothing short of magnificent. He plays this role as if born to it with fire and ardor. In the final scenes, when he sings with his companions in the tavern ("Intanto amici qua") to his challenge of Alfio, by biting him on his right ear (I guess that makes Tyson a Sicilian). To one of the most electric moments, his goodbye to his Mama ("Mama, quel vino") Just before he goes off to fight Alfio for his honor, and believes he is about to die (which he was). It will tear the heart right out of your chest. Such emotion, he convinces you that he is spending his last moments on this earth. A tour de force.I highly recommend this opera, it's budget priced, with good sound and a great performance."