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Interview of Late Conductor Gianandrea Gavazzeni on Local Tuscan TV

January 16, 2006 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Visit: Original Announcement 

"Gavazzeni remembers Mascagni". A TV station from Tuscany, Toscana TV, has shown on January 15 and will show again on January 23 an interview never broadcast before of conductor Gianandrea Gavazzeni, who passed away in 1995.

A translation of the broadcast presentation follows:

"I remember an evening we were walking together under the Milan gallery. He was never tired and he liked talking: he was a "livornesaccio" (typical Livornese); but in the end he was a likable person."

This "he" was Pietro Mascagni, the author of Cavalleria, and the narrator is maestro Gianandrea Gavazzeni, in an interview-meeting of almost one hour with Goffredo Gori, music critic, who met him in October 1995 not long before the maestro passed away. This was the occasion for conductor Gavazzeni to celebrate Mascagni 50 years after his death, with a concert at the Communale Theater in Florence, conducting among aothers the last act of this Parisina, on a text by D'Annunzio, which the maestro helped being reevaluated by the critic and the musical world, in general skeptical regarding everything related to verismo: this was a lifelong fight for maestro Gavazzeni. In this document by Goffredo Gori, the maestro talks about the premiere of Parisina in 1913 (publisher Sonzogno) with so much anectodal force that it transforms into an authentic historical testimony useful for future exegesis, because loaded with humorous but humane and passionate provocation. The regional broadcaster "Toscana TV" will broadcast this rare testimony in the feature "Di quella pira", handled by Goffredo Gori, on two occasions: January 15, and January 23, at 19:30 (7:30 PM).

Maestro Gavazzeni is responsible for several of the reprises of Mascagni's masterpiece, Parisina, after Mascagni's death. In particular, he conducted the work in Livorno in 1952 and in 1978 in Rome. He also conducted act IV on two occasions in 1995. His wife, Denia Mazzola, to whom the maestro transmitted the love for Parisina, beautifully sung the role in Montpellier in 1999, in a cut down, three-act version available on CD. The rarely performed act IV arguably contains some of Mascagni's most beautiful music.

Set of Le Maschere Cards

January 14, 2006 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Visit: Photo Album

Mascagni.org presents a series of eleven cards on the subject of Le Maschere (1901) entitled Mascagni in Maschera (Mascagni masked). The cards feature ten commedia dell'arte characters, all of them present in Mascagni's opera except "Stenterello" and "Meneghino". One character of the opera, "Brighella", is missing from the series. Each character is a caricature of Mascagni drawn by NASICA.

A Manuscript Letter by Mascagni

January 14, 2006 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Visit: Original Document

Mascagni.org presents a two-page manuscript letter sent by Mascagni to the newspaper La Tribuna regarding a dispute with Maestro Mascheroni. The letter does not bear a date, but can safely be dated to around June 1898, as Mascagni discussed this matter in other letters (in particular in a letter to Giulio Ricordi dated June 24, 1898).

The actual paper documents feature extra notes added possibly by the recepient of the letter (La Tribuna), stating in Italian that the document is a letter sent by Mascagni, quoting the text by Mascagni, and finally adding notes at the end of the letter. Those notes have been electronically removed to provide a "restored" version of the letter, while the original document is also presented for historical purposes.

Following are the original text written by Mascagni and a literal English translation (corrections are welcome):

Page	Original Italian	English Translation
1	Onorevole Signor Direttore del giornale la Tribuna - Ho letto nel suo pregiato giornale di iersera la lettera che il Maestro Mascheroni dice di avermi inviato, per annunciarmi la sua partenza. Senza entrare ora nei motivi che possono averlo indotto a questo passo (e ciò per un sentimento di gene= rosità), mi limito ad esprimere ma= raviglia che il Maestro Mascheroni mi abbia diretto una lettera, di= menticando di farmela parvenire.	Honorable Mister Director of the newspaper la Tribuna - I have read in your praised newspaper of last night the letter that Maestro Mascheroni says he sent me to announce his departure. Without now entering into the reasons that can have led him to this decision (and this out of a sentiment of gene= rosity), I limit myself to express surprise that Maestro Mascheroni would have written a letter to me, for- getting about sending it to me.
2	RingraziandoLa dell'ospitalità che Ella, onorevole Signor Direttore, vorra accordare a questa mia, mi pregio di affermarmi con pieno osseguio di Lei Gentiss. mo Obbligat. mo = Pietro Mascagni =	Thanking you for the reception that you, honorable Mister Director, will grant to this letter, I am happy to offer myself with full devotion kindly your obligated = Pietro Mascagni =

The seller of the letter was unable to confirm its authenticity, however Mascagni.org and other Mascagni specialists believe the handwriting and style are clearly Mascagni's.

Lost Manuscript of Alla Gioia Likely Sold at Rome Auction

January 14, 2006 – Information submitted by Roger Flury

The manuscript score for Alla Gioia (Ode to Joy), a work composed by the young Mascagni in 1882 just after his early In filanda, was for sale in a Christie's auction in Rome in December. This is an important event, as the music has probably not been heard in its complete form since the early 1880s, and it was feared that the manuscript score had been lost, having surfaced for the last time at Milan exhibit in December 1963, according to Cesare Orselli's notes for In filanda.

The description of the auction item reads as follows (Mascagni.org's translation).

MASCAGNI, Pietro. Important autograph music manuscript signed (three times: on the front page, with a dedication to Conte Florestano de Larderel; on the title page, in calligraphy; at the bottom of the last page with date Livorno 1882): Alla Gioia, Cantata. Text by Schiller. Translation by Maffei. Music by Pietro Mascagni, student of the Istituto Musicale Cherubini of Livorno. Executed in Livorno at R. Teatro degli Avvalorati in March of 1882 (introduction on the title page), 121 pages 4º gr. in good copy (bound in half skin with inscription on the back MASCAGNI ALLA GIOIA) of the score for solists, choir and piano. The composition, divided in sixteen closed numbers of various lengths (Invocazione - Romanza - Quartetto con coro - Preghiera a sole voci - Romanza - Coretto - Romanza - Arioso - Romanza - Danze (per solo pianoforte) - Brindisi e Fuga - Fuga - Preludino (per solo pianoforte) - Romanza - Giuramento - Quartetto - Finale), is obviously a work done for the conservatory (the presence of two fugues is telling, offering a catalog of proofs of composition technique), and suffers from the implicit and heavy confrontation with one of the most famous choral pages of the times which, in spite of being composed sixty years later, remains of incomparably greater expressive freedom (we are talking of course about the finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony). Although of course the Italian version of the famous verses by Schiller (for example: O miriadi di viventi atterratevi al Signor Universo, e tu non senti che ti regge un fren d'amor) could have in a way reduced the strength of the impact of Beethoven's piece, which necessarily had to influence the promising nineteen years-old student of Cherubini. A fascinating document.

Estimate: €10,000-15,000 / US$ 12,000-18,000

It is to be hoped that, if the item actually sold, the buyer will promptly arrange for the publication and performance of the music. The work is characterized by Alan Mallach in his biography as "overambitious", and Mascagni himself later recognized that he had probably aimed a little too high. However, the recent release on CD of In filanda, composed when Mascagni was only 17, demonstrates the extraordinary talent of the young Mascagni, and makes his subsequent Ode to Joy all the more intriguing.

World First Recording of In Filanda Released

December 7, 2005 – Information submitted by Alessandro Marchesi

CD Info: Pietro Mascagni - In Filanda

Italian label Bongiovanni has just released the world first recording of In Filanda. The recording, from a performance of April 6, 2003 in Naples, Italy, features Rossella Redoglia as Ninetta, Massimiliano Fichera as the manager of the factory, Antonio de Palma as Beppo, and I Solisti di Napoli under the baton of Susanna Pescetti.

As reported by Alan Mallach in his excellent biography, Mascagni started work on this early cantata on a text by his teacher Alfredo Soffredini on December 2, 1880, just before his 17^th birthday. The piano-vocal score was finished just over a month later, on January 7, 1881, and most of the orchestral score by January 29. The premiere took place on February 9, 1881. The cantata was reworked into an opera for a competition two years later, under the name Pinotta. The music saw its first performance under that name only fifty years later, in 1932. Two recordings of Pinotta already exist.

The Bongiovanni catalog also includes several other works by Mascagni, including a recent release of Isabeau, but also Nerone, Il piccolo Marat (all three conducted by Kees Bakels), Sì, Rapsodia Satanica and Visione Lirica, L'apoteosi della cicogna, Pinotta, A Giacomo Leopardi and Zanetto, as well as songs and works for piano.

Series of Monthly Auditions for Mascagni Voices in Livorno, Italy

October 23, 2005 (updated November 6, 2005, November 20, 2005) – Information submitted by Alberto Paloscia

The Teatro Goldoni Foundation of Livorno, with the perspective of productions of Mascagni operas during upcoming opera seasons, is setting up a cycle of auditions in order to look for voices adapted to the music of Mascagni, for possible inclusion within performances at the theater, in particular performances under the umbrella of the Mascagni Project. Update: The next audtions will take place on November 29, 2005 and November 30, 2005 at the Goldoni Theater in Livorno.

Theose auditions are open to singers up to 35 year old for female voices, and up to 45 year old for male voices. Italian singers as well as foreign singers (including from outside the European Union) are welcome.

A specific section will be dedicated to tenors, with reference to the following titles of Mascagni's production: Cavalleria Rusticana, Iris, Isabeau, Lodoletta, Il Piccolo Marat, Nerone, and possibly other works chosen by the performer. For all the other registers it is required, by decision of the artistic committee, to choose three pieces out of the Mascagni repertoire, with a particular recommendation to prepare Il piccolo Marat, Iris, Isabeau and Nerone.

The auditions are entirely free. The theater is providing the candidates with a "maestro collaboratore". In case the artist finds it necessary, an accompanist can be provided. The candidates will have to personally provide the pianist with the piano/vocal scores of the works they plan to perform.

The auditions will have a regular schedule and will take place at the Teatro Goldoni every month.

The artistic committee will be presided by M° Alberto Paloscia, artistic director of the opera season and of the Mascagni Project of the Goldoni Foundation of Livorno.

To register, please send a request with your artistic curriculum, photo and repertoire by recommended letter to:

Uff. Segreteria Artistica
Sig.ra Laura Faucci
Fondazione Teatro Goldoni
Via Goldoni n. 83
57125 Livorno

It is also possible to communicate by email (laura.faucci@goldoniteatro.it) or by phone (0586/204221 – office open from 9 AM to 2 PM). The direction is not responsible for lost letters or emails.

The next audtion will take place on October 25, 2005 at the Goldoni Theater in Livorno.

Update: This announcement has also appeared  in Il giornale della musica.

Pietro Mascagni - Life and Works - A New Book in Italian

November 09, 2005 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Book Info: Pietro Mascagni - la vita e le opere

Pietro Mascagni - la vita e le opere by Nedo Benvenuti, noted Mascagni scholar, is a revision of Pietro Mascagni nella vita e nell'arte by the same author, published in 1981.

The new version covers a wide range of topics, organized into the following sections:

• Life (37 pages)
• Mascagni and Livorno (21 pages)
• Photos and illustrations (17 pages)
• Works (15 pages)
• Libretti (8 pages)
• Quick catalog of Mascagni's librettists (2 pages)
• Report of the second Sonzogno competition (4 pages)
• Critical musical analysis (38 pages)
• Chronology (18 pages)
• Appendix: Letters from Mascagni to Guido Menasci during the composition of Amica (12 pages)
• Appendix: Parisina press book (65 pages)

It is difficult to rapidly compare the new version (256 pages) with the earlier one (160 pages) as the layout and typography have changed and have in fact been significantly improved. It is however worth noting that several sections of the new version are entirely new, as are all the illustrations, and that the text appears to have been entirely revised.

Pietro Mascagni - la vita e le opere is available immediately.

Soundtrack of Raging Bull Released

November 9, 2005 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

CD Info: Robert de Niro - Raging Bull - The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Visit: FAQ

The soundtrack of the movie Raging Bull, which features three pieces by Mascagni, has just been released.

The double CD has 37 tracks, including the three Mascagni tracks:

• Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana (twice)
• Barcarola from Silvano
• Intermezzo (Il Sogno di Ratcliff) from Guglielmo Ratcliff

According to preliminary information, the three pieces appear to have been performed by the Orchestra of the Municipal Theatre of Bologna conducted by Arturo Basile. It is the first time with this release that the Barcarola from Silvano becomes widely available.

Fantasia sulla Cavalleria Rusticana

October 23, 2005 – Information submitted by Calogero Di Liberto

The score for a Fantasia sulla Cavalleria Rusticana (Fantasy on Cavalleria Rusticana), a work for piano composed by pianist Calogero Di Liberto, is now available from Casa Musicale Sonzogno 

The 8-minute long piece is essentially inspired from themes out of Cavalleria Rusticana. A CD is also in the works. It will feature a performance of the Fantasy, performed by the composer.

Amica in Collesalvetti in Late August

July 29, 2005 (updated October 23, 2005) – Information submitted by Fulvio Venturi

A single performance of Amica (Italian version) will be performed at the Parco di Villa Carmignani in Collesalvetti on August 27, 2005.

Maria Elèna Mexia, a young Spanish producer, will stage the opera with an ample use of media sources. Nada Matosevic (see picture), the artistic director of Rijeka Theater in Croatia, will conduct the "Festival Mascagni d'Estate" orchestra.

In the title role, Giovanna De Liso makes a comeback in Livorno, where she has a large number of supporters. Maurizio Comencini and Carlo Morini sing the two passionate brothers Giorgio and Rinaldo, and Antonio Marani and Fulvia Bertoli will sing Padron Camoine and Maddalena. The Società Corale Pisana supports the chorus.

The opera is sung in Italian and celebrates the centennary of the first world performance of Amica in Monte Carlo on March 16, 1905 and the first perfomance in Livorno at the Teatro Goldoni on Aug 5, 1905.

A rich 48-page booklet with notes by Fulvio Venturi will be available for the performance.

The full details are available below:

Update: Mascagni.org has learned that the performance could not take place because of bad weather.

Silvano in Livorno on July 2

July 29, 2005 – Information submitted by Fulvio Venturi

A single performance of Silvano has been performed in Livorno on July 2, 2005, at an open air summer stage next to the Goldoni Theater.

This is the same production done in Collesalvetti in August 2003. Maurizio Comencini (see picture) was outstanding in the very difficult title role, earning warm applause right since the first act, and Paola Di Gregorio (Matilde), Carlo Morini (Renzo) and Miria Adriani were all very well received. Mario Menicagli conducted with enthusiasm and Emanuele Gamba was in charge of the staging and lighting.

The performance was promoted by the commune of Livorno (Assessore Attilio D'Alesio) on the occasion of the "Palio Marinaro" events.

Mario Morini, famous Mascagni scholar, has passed away

July 21, 2005 – Information submitted by Guia Farinelli

It is with deep regret that Mascagni.org is announcing the passing of Mario Morini, famous Mascagni scholar, on July 11.

Mario Morini was the author, in the 1960s, of the first serious scholarly volumes about Mascagni, published by Casa Sonzogno. Those two volumes, now hard to find, have been the reference for mascagnani for decades. Mario Morini was also one of the curator of the Mascagni epistolary in two volumes, published in the 1990s, and the author of many articles and talks over the years.

L'amico Fritz in Rochester in October

July 9, 2005 (updated August 19, 2005) – Information submitted by Eric Anderson

Mercury Opera Rochester will perform L'amico Fritz this coming October in Rochester.

The full details are available below:

Where: Roberts Wesleyan Hale Auditorium, 2301 Westside Drive, Rochester, NY 14624
When: Friday, October 7, 8 PM – Saturday, October 8, 8 PM
Tickets: Tickets will be available starting September 1 from the RPO box office at 108 East Avenue in Rochester, by phone at (585) 454-2100, online at www.rpo.org  and from all Rochester NY area Wegman's video locations. Tickets will cost $25, with student tickets available for $10. - Season tickets for the entire season (L'Amico Fritz in fall, Puccini's Madama Butterfly on January 27 & 29, and Donizetti's L'Elizir d'Amore on May 11 & 13) are available now from the RPO box office.

L'amico Fritz

Suzel: Jennifer Gliere
Fritz: Broadus Hamilton
Beppe: Quinn Patrick
David: Mario Martinez
Federico: Joe Dan Harper
Hanezo: Chad Rushforth
Caterina: Danielle Frink
Conductor: Gerard Floriano
Stage Director: JJ Hudson
Set Designer: Steve Stubblefield
Lighting Designer: Nic Minetor

"Homage to Verismo" Recitals in Livorno

July 9, 2005 – Information submitted by Bianca Barsanti

Two more recitals in homage to verismo opera will take place in the house of Gemma Bellincioni and Roberto Stagno in Livorno at the end of July and August.

The program of the recitals is available below, including the original Italian text:

Gemma Bellincioni [orig. Cesira Matilda] era nata nel 1864 a Monza, figlia d’arte di toscani, a sei anni esordì in una arietta di una commedia data al Teatro Filodrammatico milanese, dieci anni dopo debuttò a Napoli nel Segreto della Duchessa di Orefice. Da quel momento le sue tournèe all’estero non si contano più; si rivelò anche in Traviata nel 1884. Ha avuto successo nel repertorio standard del tempo grazie alla presenza scenica, il suo recitare e l’interpretazione attirarono una considerevole attenzione e furono utilizzate nel nuovo genere musicale del tempo: il verismo. Fu selezionata con il marito Roberto Stagno come Turiddu, per creare il ruolo di Santuzza nella prima assoluta di Cavalleria Rusticana (17 maggio 1890). La Bellincioni creò anche il personaggio di Fedora di Giordano (17 novembre 1898) e fu scelta anche per la prima Salomè di Strauss (1906). In seguito insegnò canto a Berlino e pubblicò a questo proposito un suo metodo d’insegnamento; nel 1912 diede alle stampe un’autobiografia “Io e il palcoscenico”. Sposò dopo molti anni di convivenza il tenore Roberto Stagno. Morì a Napoli nel 1950.

Roberto Stagno [Vincenzo Andreoli] nacque a Palermo nel 1840 e divenne ben presto grande tenore internazionale grazie a un repertorio eccezionalmente vasto raccogliendo allori nelle sue numerose tournèes in Europa, America, Russia. A partire dalla prima rappresentazione della Cavalleria Rusticana fino al 1895 cantò spesso opere veriste. Fu sempre amico devoto e poi marito della Bellincioni, tra le braccia della quale morì a Genova nel 1897.

Bianca Bellincioni (1888-1981), figlia dei cantanti Gemma Bellincioni e Roberto Stagno, seguì le orme dei genitori nel campo operistico dopo il suo matrimonio con una membro della famiglia Ricordi. Debuttò nel 1913 a Graz (Austria) come Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly. Dopo la carriera operistica, si dedicò al film muto (da ricordare la sua interpretazione in un film in cui compare lo stesso Mascagni “La regina della Scala” del 1937).

Updated Audio Files Section

June 23, 2005 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Visit: Audio Files

The most important thing, after all, is listening to Mascagni's music. Mascagni.org has had some audio files for a long time, but this section has recently been redone, and now features a better-organized entry page.

You can now navigate to audio files categorized per work, and from there go to the relevant recordings in the discography. Conversely, if a discography entry has associated audio files, those can be played directly.

Many new audio files have also been added, most from authentic 78 rpm records, including the wonderful duet from Il piccolo Marat, a pure gem recorded by Hipolito Lázaro and Mafalda de Voltri. The music comes from four 78 rpm sides, for a total of almost 15 minutes of dream music.

Another gem is the version of Stornelli Marini, one of Mascagni's best songs, sung by Beniamino Gigli. Also notable, the overture to Il barbiere di Siviglia conducted by Mascagni himself; a rare choral excerpt from Silvano; and much more, since there is at the moment over three hours of Mascagni music to listen to!

Finally, don't miss the songs and piano works recorded by Patricia Wright, David Vine, Cheri Rose Katz, and Alan Mallach, which have been on the site for a long time.

French Cavalleria Rusticana and L'ami Fritz Postcards

June 5, 2005 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Visit: French Cavalleria Rusticana Postcards
Visit: French L'ami Fritz Postcards

Mascagni.org presents a series of gorgeous colorized French postcards illustrating scenes from Cavalleria Rusticana and L'ami Fritz (L'amico Fritz).

The first series illustrates five dramatic scenes from Cavalleria Rusticana, from Alfio's entrance (Il cavallo scalpita, or Piaffe, mon cheval fringant in the French version) to the famous Hanno ammazzato compare Turiddu (On a tué Torido !! in the French version).

The second series illustrates ten scenes from L'ami Fritz, from the initial meal scene of the opera to the last love scene. Both series appear to be from the same publisher, featuring the same layout and style but bearing different numbers: AS 814 for Cavalleria Rusticana, AS 818 for L'ami Fritz.

New Cavalleria Rusticana Recording on MYTO Announced

May 23, 2005 – Information submitted by Carlo Torriani

MYTO Records has just recorded a new studio version of Cavalleria rusticana. The CD is likely due around September 2005. The cast includes Mara Zampieri, Carlo Torriani, Alberto Mastromarino, conducted by Francesco Ledda.

New Original Document

May 21, 2005 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Visit: Intermezzo From The Eternal City - Published in the San Francisco Examiner
Visit: Intermezzo From The Eternal City - Published in the N. Y. American and Journal

Mascagni.org presents a new original document: Intermezzo From The Eternal City, a four-page insert published in the San Francisco Examiner on December 7, 1902, Mascagni's birthday.

The Intermezzo presented here is just one and a half page long, the remaining one and a half page featuring a movement from Act IV. This is in fact the central part of a piece called Valley of the Shadow, an intermezzo to Act II, the first bars of which appear on the first page of the document. The actual score has the following commentary:

Nothing can stop Roma's destiny. She has met David Rossi and has fallen in love with him. An overwhelming passion is the result of their intercourse, and her past and her present are forgotten in the hopes she builds for her future with the man of whom she is enamoured.

Mascagni wrote incidental music for Hall Caine's play The Eternal City in the summer of 1902. At the time this document was published, he was in the middle of his troubled North American tour, during which he would regularly perform excerpts from his latest composition.

While the piano score for The Eternal City is still available, the orchestral score remains lost.

Excerpts from Cavalleria Rusticana in Mendrisio, Switzerland

May 20, 2005 (updated June 6, 2005) – Information submitted by Andrea and Hiroko

Web Site: Coro Operistico di Mendrisio 

A few pieces by Mascagni, including Regina coeli, Gli aranci olezzano, Viva il vino spumeggiante, and the Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana, will be performed this Sunday in Mendrisio, Switzerland, along with pieces from Bellini, Cairoli, Verdi, Rossini, and Wagner.

This is a gala concert for the 20 years of the Foundation Presenza Sud of Mendrisio.

Update: here is a review  of the concert.

Prelude and Intermezzo from L'amico Fritz in New York

April 12, 2005 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Web Site: Queens Chronicle Community Calendar 

The Forest Hills Symphony Orchestra is announcing the third and last concert of its season on Sunday, April 17 at 2pm at the Forest Hills Jewish Center, 106-06 Queens Blvd. It will feature oboist Joan Dawidziak and bassoonist Howard Rockwin in the Vivaldi Concerto for oboe and bassoon. Also on the program will be Bizet’s L’Arlesienne Suite and the prelude and intermezzo from L’Amico Fritz by Mascagni.

Tickets are $5 and $3 for senior citizens and students. Tickets are available by calling 516-785-2532.

Performance of Amica in Collesalvetti announced

April 8, 2005 – Information submitted by Anonymous

This hasn't been confirmed yet, but it looks like there is a chance that Amica will be performed in Collesalvetti in August 2005. This year marks the centenary of this musically very interesting opera, initially composed to a French libretto.

New CD of Messa di Gloria

February 23, 2005 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

CD Info: Messa di Gloria

A new CD of Messa di Gloria (Glory Mass) has been released on label Fonit Cetra. Tenor Stefano Secco and baritone Cosimo Diano are conducted by Claudio Scimone.

Mascagni's Messa di Gloria was composed for young music students in 1888, two years before the premiere of Cavalleria rusticana.

Cavalleria Rusticana in London in February

February 5, 2005 – Information submitted by Malcolm Nightingale

Web Site: Chelsea Opera Group 

Chelsea Opera Group will be performing Cavalleria rusticana in concert form at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on Saturday 26, 2005. Cavalleria is being twinned on this occasion with Puccini’s first opera Le villi, thus giving opera-goers the rare opportunity to hear together the first operatic works of the two leading post-Verdi Italian composers.

Where: Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank, London SE1
When: Saturday, February 26, 2005, 19:15 (7:15 PM)
Tickets: Visit Queen Elizabeth Hall box office information .

Cavalleria Rusticana

Santuzza: Alwyn Mellor
Lola: Claire Bradshaw
Turiddu: Luis Rodriguez
Mamma Lucia: Elizabeth Sikora
Alfio: Simon Thorpe
Conductor: Andrew Greenwood
Chorus Master: Christopher Fifield
Orchestra: Chelsea Opera Group Orchestra
Orchestra Leader: Diana Cummings
Chorus: Chelsea Opera Group Chorus

Concert performances of L'amico Fritz in Philadelphia and Haverford

January 20, 2005 (updated January 28, 2005) – Information submitted by Maryann Devine

Web Site: The Academy of Vocal Arts 

Following its success last January with a concert performance of a rarely-heard Puccini opera, The Academy of Vocal Arts presents a concert version of Pietro Mascagni's L'amico Fritz on January 20 and 21 at the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater, and January 22 at Centennial Hall in Haverford.

The brilliant Christofer Macatsoris conducts AVA's rising vocal stars and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Where: Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Streets, Philadelphia – Centennial Hall, The Haverford School, 450 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford
When: Thursday, January 20, 2005, 7:30 PM (Philadelphia) – Friday, January 21, 2005, 7:30 PM (Philadelphia) – Saturday, January 22, 2005, 7:30 PM (Haverford)
Tickets: Call 215-735-1685 or 215-893-1999, or visit www.avaopera.org  or www.kimmelcenter.org . Regular: $80 (premium seating) and $45; seniors: $70 (premium seating) and $35; students: $60 (premium seating) and $25.

L'amico Fritz

Fritz Kobuz: James Valenti / Stephen Costello
Suzel: Ailyn Perez / Ariya Sawadivong
Beppe: Jennifer Hsiung / Nicole Piccolomini / Filomena Francesca Tritto
David: Eric T. Dubin / Yungbae Yang
Federico: Jeffrey Halili
Hanezò: Jesús Ibarra
Caterina: Jennifer Hsiung / Nicole Piccolomini / Filomena Francesca Tritto
Music Director and Conductor: Christofer Macatsoris
Orchestra: The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

Update: a performance will be broadcast on WRTI:

Where: WRTI 90.1 FM (www.wrti.org )
When: Sunday, January 30, 2005, 3 PM EST

L'amico Fritz

Fritz Kobuz: James Valenti
Suzel: Ailyn Perez
Beppe: Nicole Piccolomini
David: Yungbae Yang
Federico: Jeffrey Halili
Hanezò: Jesús Ibarra
Caterina: Filomena Francesca Tritto
Music Director and Conductor: Christofer Macatsoris
Orchestra: The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
Program Host: Wayne Conner

New CD with Mascagni tenor arias

January 11, 2005 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

CD Info: Italian Opera Arias

Rolando Villazón's new CD (released in 2004) features two arias by Mascagni: Ed anche Beppe amò... O Amore, o bella luce del cor from L'amico Fritz, and Vergine muse... Quando al soave anelito from Nerone.

Pierino Mascagni has passed away

January 8, 2005 – Information submitted by Guia Farinelli

Pierino Mascagni, grandson of the composer, has passed away.

The following is a translation of the statement issued by the Mascagni family:

Pietro Mascagni junior, called by the maestro and his family Pierino, estimated surgeon and man of great humanity, has died in Rome on January 1 after a long illness. Among the grandchildren of the maestro, Pierino was the one who best remembered his grandfather, of whom he was carrying the name. Like him he was a man full of life, passionate and exuberant and he has been for the Mascagni family a crucial anchor. We will all miss Pierino a lot, in particular his wife, his sister Maria Teresa, his children, the grandchildren and all the friends who remember him with great love.

The funeral will take place Monday, January 3, at the church of Sacro Cuore in Rome. The ashes will be kept in Livorno in the tomb of the Mascagni family, where the maestro is at rest.

New Original Document

January 7, 2005 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Visit: La canzone del sole

Mascagni.org presents a new original document: the piano / vocal score for La canzone del sole, a song based on Mascagni's earlier La ballata di Maggio for the 1933 movie La canzone del sole with Giacomo Lauri-Volpi.

Cavalleria Rusticana at Chelsea Opera in January

December 13, 2004 – Information submitted by Lynne Hayden-Findlay and Leonarda Priore

Web Site: Teatro dell'Opera di Roma 

Chelsea Opera and the Chelsea Opera Chamber Orchestra present Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, libretto by G. Targioni-Tozzetti and G. Menasci, after a story by Giovanni Verga.

Cavalleria Rusticana and Rapsodia Satanica at the Rome Opera

December 1, 2004 – Information submitted by G.

Web Site: Teatro dell'Opera di Roma 

Four performances of Cavalleria Rusticana and Rapsodia Satanica will take place a the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma (Rome Opera) in March 2005.

New DVD of Zanetto

November 29, 2004 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

DVD Info: Zanetto

A new DVD of Zanetto has been released on label Kicco. The DVD is from a live November 2003 performance in Savona, Italy. Denia Mazzola Gavazzeni and Romina Basso are conducted by Bruno Aprea. The DVD also includes a concert with Denia Mazzola Gavazzeni as well as interviews.

The Unknown Mascagni - Songs and Piano Works by Alan Mallach and Cheri Rose Katz

October 31, 2004 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Visit: The Unknown Mascagni

Mascagni.org presents a selection of songs and piano pieces performed live by Cheri Rose Katz (mezzo soprano) and Alan Mallach (piano), recorded in Roosevelt, New Jersey, USA on March 20, 2004.

New Original Documents

August 28, 2004 – Information submitted by Erik Bruchez

Visit: Mascagni Prima della Cavalleria
Visit: Mascagni Leads His Thousands

Mascagni.org presents two new original documents: Mascagni Prima della Cavalleria, an article by Mascagni librettist Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti; and Mascagni Leads His Thousands, a 1-page "article" published in Musical America of May 25, 1929 featuring Mascagni conducting an orchestra of five thousand musicians.

The text of Mascagni Leads His Thousands reads:

Music as an indispensable part of national life is a well-recognized fact by the Italian Fascisti, knowing the Italian love of spectacle, the powers that rule gathered together five thousand musicians in the national stadium in Rome for a recent Fascisti anniversary celebration and many fives of thousands of people gathered to listen. Musicans, in modern Rome, have taken the place of lions.

Above is a general view of the national stadium with the orchestra of five thousand, and at the left is Pietro Mascagni, conducting 'Youth', the Facisct hymn.

Contract for The Eternal City