Aleko - Cavalleria rusticana

Gypsies sing of the joys of nomadic life and listen to an old gypsy who tells them about his wife who deserted him for a young lover. While his wife left him, his daughter, Zemfira, has chosen to remain with the gypsies. Zemfira lives with Aleko, an outsider who left his home town to follow the free-spirited life of the gypsies. Aleko cannot understand why the old gypsy did not punish his wife’s infidelity but Zemfira, who agrees with her mother’s attitude towards free love, exclaims that no one person has absolute right over another. It becomes clear that Zemfira has grown weary of Aleko’s possessive nature and like her mother has started a relationship with a young gypsy suitor. At night Zemfira kisses her young lover goodnight and sings a lullaby to her baby. Her song is about an old man who does not allow his wife any independence. Aleko, who heard Zemfira’s song, reflects upon the breakdown of his relationship with the young gypsy woman whom he used to love passionately and also upon his disenchantment with gypsy life. Zemfira’s lover serenades her and they spend the night together. In the morning Aleko catches them and in a fit of jealousy kills the young gypsy and then Zemfira. The gypsies say their prayers to the dead lovers and decide to oust Aleko from their community.

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It is Easter morning in a Sicilian village. Before the curtain rises, a tenor voice is heard in the distance singing a Siciliana. Santuzza, a young woman of the parish, comes to see Mamma Lucia, proprietress of a local inn. Santuzza is looking for Lucia’s son, Turiddu, who had been courting her until recently. Alfio appears bragging about his life of travel and Lola, the pretty wife he is coming home to. Mamma Lucia asks Santuzza the reason for the secrecy about Turiddu’s whereabouts. Santuzza reminds her that Turiddu, who was in love with Lola before he joined the army, returned home and has resumed his affair with Lola, without the knowledge of her husband whose business often takes him out of town. Turiddu, on his way to church, is surprised to meet Santuzza. He tries to avoid a scene, but she is insistent. The angry Turiddu rejects Santuzza’s increasingly hysterical pleas not to abandon her. At this moment, the appearance of Alfio seems providential to the distraught Santuzza, who tells him plainly that Lola has been unfaithful to him with Turiddu. Alfio swears revenge. The people come out of the church. Turiddu urges everyone to have wine and exchanges toasts with Lola. Alfio appears but when Turiddu offers him wine, the carter says it might be poisoned. Sensing trouble, the neighbors draw back as Turiddu and Alfio exchange the few words that constitute a challenge to a duel, and Turiddu gives Alfio the ritual bite on the ear. Turiddu asks his mother to look after Santuzza if anything happens to him. The alarmed Lucia quickly realizes that something is wrong, but before she can follow Turiddu, neighbors rush in, crying that he has been killed.

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Back Stage Secrets at the Opera Many Opportunities to Widen your Opera Experience

Do you want to know more about the opera you are about to attend? Do you want to find out some back stage secrets? Do you want to meet the artists after the performance? The Israeli Opera enables you to widen your opera experience with a variety of pre performance and post-performance events.

Pre Performance Lecture One hour before each opera performance there is a 30-minute introductory lecture in the auditorium (in Hebrew). Opera staffers present the opera and the production and enable the audience to get some extra information a short time before attending the performances. Admission is free for ticket holders.

Opera Talkback The curtain has just descended on the final scene of the opera. The hour is late. Nut the experience was riveting. This is the time to meet several of the performers. Come to listen and to speak. Ask questions. Meet the artists. A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the artists who have just excited you on the stage. Opera Talkbacks takes place on the second level of the Opera House foyer and last around 30 minutes. Admission free. Opera Talkback takes place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website.

Date

Hour

PREMIÈRE

19:30

Opening lecture

Before every show

An hour before every show

Opera Talkback

January 17, 18, 21, 22

After the show

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Friday

13/01/2023