Today Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci are a famous double act, but they were written independently. Cavalleria Rusticana’s hugely successful 1890 premiere doubtlessly influenced Leoncavallo, whose 1892 Pagliacci was another triumph. The two works, masterpieces of the verismo tradition of realism, share melodic richness and an obsession with violent jealousy. Damiano Michieletto’s production—setting both operas in the same village—was an Olivier Award-winning hit when first presented in 2015. The Financial Times describes as “a gripping evening all round.”

Runtime is approximate.