Arts & Culture

Cav and Pag Together Again, and Still Powerful, at the Met

Cav and Pag Together Again, and Still Powerful, at the Met
During his performance as a clown, Canio (Marcelo Álvarez), snaps after learning his wife plans to run away with another man. Cory Weaver/Metropolitan Opera
Barry Bassis
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There are no happy marriages in “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci,” but the two one-act operas are permanently wedded together. In fact, the first house in which they were paired was the Metropolitan Opera.

Now, the Met has unveiled a new production of these two verismo operas, directed by David McVicar, and both star tenor Marcelo Álvarez.

Santuzza (Eva-Maria Westbroek) loves Turiddu ( Marcelo Alvarez) although he will break her heart in Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana." (Cory Weaver/ Metropolitan Opera)
Santuzza (Eva-Maria Westbroek) loves Turiddu ( Marcelo Alvarez) although he will break her heart in Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana." Cory Weaver/ Metropolitan Opera
Barry Bassis
Barry Bassis
Author
Barry has been a music, theater, and travel writer for over a decade for various publications, including Epoch Times. He is a voting member of the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle, two organizations of theater critics that give awards at the end of each season. He has also been a member of NATJA (North American Travel Journalists Association)