Los Angeles herald., 1891-11-20
ADJUSTMENTS.

/ The people of Los Angeles last even
ing had their first opportunity to Judge
the beauties of the prize grand opera,
Cavalleria Rusticana, which has caused
a worldwide sensation, and has thrust
its composer, Mascagni, upon the high
est pinnacle OF fame at an age of only
26 years. The Columbia Opera company
deserves the thanks of all music loving
people here for this rich treat. 1t was
to be anticipated that the rendition of
the new opera would be smoother in
every way than the hampered produc-
ton OF Trovatore was on Wednesday
night, and nobody was disappointed.
The cast last evening was this:
Santuzza lin love with Turiddu). ..........
Lola (wife of Alto. Nine. Olga Essier
Lucia (mother OF Turiddu) - Grace Vernon
Turiddu dover OF Lola) William Foran
Alto "a teamster) .................... Josef Rubo
Owing to the shortness of Cavalleria
the production was preceded by the mis-
erere scene from II Trovatore, by Miss
Nina Bertini and William Foran, sung
in most delightful manner. The audi
ence was highly appreciative OF this cur
tain-raiser, but were impatient for the
great novelty, and cordially applauded
the prelude, which at once threw the pe-
culiar charm of the new masters genius
over its hearers.
The prelude opens with an andante,
gradually becomes more animated, and
develops into a broad and dramatic
movement-the theme afterward be-
longing to the prayer before the church.
While the marvellous strains are still vi
brating there breaks upon the air a
wonderful serenade from behind the cur
tain. 1t is Turridu singing to Lola, his
love. The voice OF the lover dies away,
the prelude breaks into an allegro, sug-
gests the andante afterward heard in
the scene between Santuzza and Turiddu.
The climax is reached by another mo.
mentary glimpse of the prayer move
ment.
The curtain rises on Sicilian village
at the dawn of day. The church bells |
are heard. 1t is Easter morning, and
the villagers come from all sides and |
enter the church. Then the chorus of |
women is heard from the interior of the |
house of God, and as they come from |
church the chorus of men is heard. AS |
the peasants leave the square the omen. |
ing chorus dies away.
Enter Santuzza, an unhappy girl who !
has been betrayed by Turiddu. now
seeking restitution. She stops Lucia. the I
mother of the faithless one, to INQUIRE
where he is. Her tale OF woe is inter-
rupted by the advent of Alto, a CAV
teamster, who cracks his whip, sings a
horsey movement for baritone and !
chorus, and leaves with his admirinp
constituents. The Easter services are
heard as they are celebrated in the
church.
Poor Santuzza relates to her lovers
mother the sad story OF her love.
and implores the old woman to
pray for her. Her wish il
granted, Lucia enters the church
and at this moment Turiddu himself
enters. There is scene of course, and
oantuzza accuses him OF having been
unfaithful to her and having transferred
his affections to Lola. The latter her
self interrupts the conversation, and
tortures her rival by her filtration with
Turiddu. Santuzza, overcome with an
guish, falls fainting to the ground. She
recovers just as Alto, the deceived hus-
band, enters. Wild with rage, she re-
veals Lola's infidelity and Turiddu's
gillainy. The teamster, in a fury.
'ushes of to seek vengeance. The first
act is now really at an end, but the cur
ain does not fall. In the competition
n which Mascagni won the prize, only
,ne-act operas were admitted. The
Javalleria had two acts, but in order to
ome within the provision, Mascagni
truck out the middle curtain and pause. |
nd introduced his celebrated inter.
nezzo, an andante as exquisite as any,
hing ever written.
The second act opens with the chorus
the peasants returning from church.
ola and Turiddu among them. Turiddu
ally invites the rest to glass of wine.
nd drinking song is sung by the tenor,
ho ends by inviting Alto to drink with