CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA and PAGLIACCI to be Presented at Opera San José

Opera San José will open the new year with the iconic operatic double bill of Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, bringing raw passion and intense drama to the California Theatre.

Set in a Sicilian village before World War I, Cavalleria Rusticana tells a story of love and jealousy that culminates in a dramatic duel of honor. Mascagni’s sweeping melodies, including the beloved “Intermezzo,” make this a thrilling work of passion and betrayal. Pagliacci, set in the same village after World War I, follows a traveling troupe whose personal betrayals explode on stage, highlighted by the electrifying aria “Vesti la giubba.”

These two brilliant short operas will feature OSJ favorites: soprano Maria Natale as Santuzza and tenor Christopher Oglesby as Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana; baritone Kidon Choi as Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana and Tonio in Pagliacci; and soprano Mikayla Sager as Nedda in Pagliacci. Joining them is Luis Alejandro Orozco, head of the opera program at San José State University, as Silvio in Pagliacci (additional casting to be announced).

San Francisco / Bay Area Awards - Live Stats

Best Musical - Top 3

1. URINETOWN (Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble)

18.4% of votes

2. THE DAY THE SKY TURNED ORANGE (San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company / Z Space)

7.8% of votes

3. SWEENEY TODD (Cabrillo Stage)

7.8% of votes

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