The title Cavelleria Rusticana ("rustic chivalry") can refer to both a short story (published 1880) and a play by Giovanni Verga (1840-1922)[1], as well as the much more famous opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945)[2].

Cavelleria Rusticana (the play)

The original text

Adapted by Giovanni Verga (1840-1922)[3] form his own popular short story (written in verismo style and published in 1880), as a vehicle for the actress Eleanora Duse, the play was produced in 1884 and became his most successful theatrical work.

Translations and adaptations

There have been a number of operas based on Verga's story, among them Cavelleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, Mala Pasqua! ("Bad Easter!") by Stanislao Gastaldon (1890) and La Giostra dei Falchi by Domenico Monleone (1907, 1914).

Performance history in South Africa

Cavelleria Rusticana (the opera)

The original text

Composed by with to an Italian libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci, the opera is based on Verga's play. Considered one of the classic verismo operas, it premiered on 17 May 1890 at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome. Since 1893, it has often been performed in a so-called Cav/Pag double-bill with Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo.[1]

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1895: Performed by the Ancarina Massimimi Italian Opera Company in the Opera House, Cape Town, early in the year. Though the company's performances in its extensive repertoire were considered excellent performers by Boonzaier (1923), he says that the company failed to gain much public support and that the entire undertaking was "a disastrous failure".

Sources

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cavalleria-rusticana-by-Verga

http://www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art11.htm

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.401,

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