Complicated Relationships In Italian Opera

Complicated relationships seem to be a recurring theme throughout Italian Opera. In the movie version of the opera Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, this seems to ring true. This opera is an example of realism, also known as verismo. This film version of the opera is focused on love and jealousy filled with symbolic music and a great libretto. The story revolves around Santuzza, Turiddu, Alfio, Lola, and Mamma Lucia. Yelena Obraztsova as Santuzza, in a soprano voice, is a peasant girl from the village. Plácido Domingo as Turiddu, in a tenor voice, is a young solider. Renato Bruson as Alfio, in a baritone, is a rich wine shipper. Axelle Gall as Lola, as a mezzo-soprano, is Alfio’s wife. Fedora Barbieri as Mamma Lucia, in a contralto voice,
As his vengeance, Turiddu decides to pursue a woman named Santuzza. A good comparison is as how Andrea from D’Annunzio’s novel Pleasure pursues Maria when he sees his first lover Elena married to another man. Lola hears about the relationship and becomes jealous as soon as she finds out. After Lola finds out, the affair between Turiddu and Lola begins. After Santuzza sleeps with Turiddu, she can sense that he has been with another woman, much like Maria can feel that Andrea and Elena had known each other romantically before she began spending time with
Lucia has pity for Santuzza, the church excommunicated her for her relationship with Turiddu. Santuzza asks Lucia to pray for her because she can’t enter the church. Turiddu returns home and Santuzza confronts his actions. He brushes Santuzza off and goes to church, following Lola inside. In a place of anger, Santuzza finds Alfio and tells him about Turiddu and Lola’s infidelity.
After Easter mass, Turiddu leaves with Lola and offers drinks to the whole town. Alfio enters the scene and Turiddu offers him a drink. Alfio instead challenges Turiddu to fight. Turiddu agrees and goes to say goodbye to his mother and kiss her just incase he doesn’t return. At the end, cries are heard and it is announced that Turiddu has been killed. All the women of the village group up and are full of despair. Of course, all the women except Lola.
The film is different from the short story in the sense that it cut a few of the details out, but it was short, sweet, and to the point. All the information needed could be seen. Also, in the film, unlike the novel, the character of Lola has a light shined on her more. She doesn’t appear very much in the story, but in the film it is felt how she has no remorse over what she’s