Pagliacci: Music and Libretto by Ruggero Leoncavallo
Cavalleria rusticana: Music by Pietro Mascagni; Libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci

Experience twice the drama and twice the thrill with an earthy new production of opera’s classic double bill. Small-town lives are turned upside down when a returning soldier and a vengeful clown upset provincial norms, resulting in shocking crimes of passion. In a single performance, two distinct yet complementary tales of adultery, jealousy, and revenge explore elemental emotions in true verismo style.

Guy Montavon’s highly theatrical new production transforms the public squares of southern Italy into a revolving mask-filled arena, with eye-catching commedia dell’arte costumes for Leoncavallo’s clowns. As the chorus watches like spectators at a coliseum, the characters cannot escape their tragic fates.

Joyce El-Khoury is Nedda