Powerful dramatic stories: both operas tell tales of love, betrayal, and revenge. In direct, compact storytelling, the plots move quickly and dramatically, keeping the audience enthralled in the extreme emotions of the characters.

Rich and passionate scores: as the culmination of the romantic era, the rich music that tells these stories is lush and evocative and powerfully underlines the extreme emotions of the drama.

Launches the operatic style known as “verismo” or “realism”: emerging from the Italian literary style of realism, these stories are about simple, basic people, illustrated with music that is full of emotion and passion.

Dynamic Performances: The demanding vocal parts and dramatic roles challenge performers, often leading to unforgettable, high-energy performances that captivate audiences.

Cavalleria rusticana

Competition winner! Unknown composer Pietro Mascagni entered this opera in a competition for one-act operas by the publisher Edoardo Sonzogno. It won first prize and received its premiere in Rome on May 17, 1890 to great acclaim. The audience is reported to have excitedly exclaimed “Abbiamo un maestro! (we have a Maestro!)”

Worldwide success Cavalleria rusticana was quickly produced around the world and within a few years it had been produced in London, Berlin, New York, and Vienna. The composer Gustav Mahler was a great admirer of the opera.

Well-known music: The most famous selection is the beautiful “Intermezzo” that follows a tumultuous duet between the two betrayed lovers. This tranquil music is a brief period of calm before the tragic and violent conclusion of the opera. The “Intermezzo” has been featured in major films including Raging Bull and Godfather Part III (which features other selections from the opera).

Pagliacci

Inspired by success: Leoncavallo was a struggling composer who was inspired of the success of Cavalleria rusticana to write a similar work. It is also short, just over an hour and written in the same dramatic verismo style as Mascagni’s opera. It was accepted by Sonzogno and premiered in Milan on May 21, 1892. It was also a great success.

Accusations of plagiarism Leoncavallo wrote his own libretto but was accused by French author Catulle Mendès of copying his La Femme du Tabarin. Leoncavallo denied this and argued that his story was based on a criminal case he remembered from his childhood over which his father presided as magistrate.

Play within a play Leoncavallo uses the device known as “play within a play” where characters in the opera are presenting a commedia dell’arte (Italian comedy) play to a local audience. The story of the onstage play mirrors their real life situation and leads to tragedy.

Iconic music The most famous aria from Pagliacci is “Vesti la giubba” which enshrines the image of the clown who must go on with the show despite his personal grief. The searing phrase “Ridi Pagliaccio” (“Laugh clown”) is one of the most recognizable in all opera.

Both Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci are dramatic stories. There is simulated onstage violence in Pagliacci which may not be appropriate for young children. We encourage parents to review the synopses to determine whether or not they feel that the subjects are suitable for their children or families.

You are encouraged to dress in whatever way you feel most comfortable. Some people like to make it special by dressing up. Others prefer to be more casual. Opening nights of each opera tend to be a bit more dressy (you will see more tuxes and long dresses) and matinees a bit more casual.  

One suggestion: it does tend to be cool in the theater (especially in the orchestra section) and so a sweater or wrap might be helpful.

There is limited on-street parking near the Sarasota Opera House. There are several parking garages in close proximity to the theater, including the Palm Avenue Garage (1289 N. Palm Ave.) which is directly behind the Sarasota Opera House.

Valet parking is also available for all evening and weekend matinee performances. Valet parking is complimentary for subscribers and donors. Otherwise the cost is $10.

For more information please visit https://www.sarasotaopera.org/parking.

The historic Sarasota Opera House is in downtown Sarasota at 61 N. Pineapple Street. 

For detailed directions, please visit https://www.sarasotaopera.org/directions.

There are concessions at the Opera House which sell a variety of beverages, snacks, and sandwiches.  The lobby and courtyard are open 1 hour and 15 minutes before a performance and we encourage you to come early to enjoy some refreshments. No food or drink are allowed inside the auditorium.