Italian Opera 'Cavalleria Rusticana' Begins in Delhi Today

The classic Italian opera, "Cavalleria Rusticana" by Pietro Mascagni, one of the foremost classics of realism in opera, will be unveiled in an Indian avatar at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi on Nov. 15, 2011.

Cavalleria Rusticana will feature Italian and Indian performers. Renowned Italian soprano Francesca Patane will perform the character of Santuzza - the female lead of the opera - with Luciano Ganci, who will star as the male lead Turiddu.

The orchestra, conducted by Indian maestro Vijay Upadhyaya, will include both Indian and Italian musicians from the India National Youth Orchestra and the Italian ensemble Orchestra Giovanile Italiana-Scuola di Musica di Fiesole.

Cavalleria Rusticana was first performed in Rome in 1890, where it was an immediate success. Since then, it has been widely performed.