Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci 12 Jan – 4 Feb | Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House Starring | Diego Torre | Dragana Radakovic | José Carbó

Home , Cavalleria rusticana, Pagliacci

Opera Australia is giving audiences a rare opportunity to experience a classic operatic double- bill when they present celebrated director Damiano Michieletto’s new Olivier Award-winning production of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci at the Sydney Opera House for the first time this summer. This co-production with the Royal Opera House is a classic of the ‘verismo movement’ and presents a slice of life from the small villages of Southern Italy, laying bare the raw heart of each story – ordinary people, driven by betrayal, passion, jealousy and revenge, emotions stretched to the limits. Although a different composer wrote each opera, it has been a long-standing tradition that they are performed together. In this production, Michieletto implies that both happen in the same town on the same night and are inextricably linked. Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini has wanted to do Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci for some time. “I think audiences are going to love this new production. These two operas are tremendously powerful and the cast is simply brilliant. “In particular, it will be a treat to see Diego Torre perform the two challenging roles on the one night and we’re thrilled that Dragana Radakovic will return to Australia after her fantastic performance in Handa Opera on the Harbour - Turandot. She’s the perfect choice for the intensity of Santuzza. I saw Russian singer Anna Princeva perform Così fan tutte in Switzerland and knew she’d be fabulous as Nedda in Pagliacci,” he said. The all-star cast also includes Opera Australia Principal Artists José Carbó, Dominica Matthews, Sian Pendry, Samuel Dundas and John Longmuir. Acclaimed Italian director Damiano Michieletto will direct for Opera Australia for the first time, and Andrea Licata (Luisa Miller, Don Carlos) will return to conduct. Winning the Olivier Award for Best New Opera in 2016, Michieletto’s production garnered high critical acclaim, with The Independent calling it “A triumphant evening” and Harpers Bazaar (UK) describing it as “Genuinely clever”. This will be a highlight of Sydney’s summer season.

Creatives Performance information Conductor Andrea Licata Evenings at 7.30pm Director Damiano Michieletto January 12, 18, 24, 27, 30 Revival Director Rodula Gaitanou February 1 Assistant Director Andy Morton Evenings at 7:45pm Set Designer Paolo Fantin January 14 Costume Designer Carla Teti Saturday Matinees at 12:30pm Lighting Designer Alessandro Carletti January 21 Lighting Realised by Gary Dooley February 4

Running time Cast Three hours including one interval. Cavalleria Rusticana Performed in Italian with English surtitles. Turiddu Diego Torre Bookings Santuzza Dragana Radakovic Adult tickets from $79 (fees may apply) Alfio José Carbó Group and concession prices available Mamma Lucia Dominica Matthews for most performances. Lola Sian Pendry Student Rush available for most performances: $50 (fees may apply) Pagliacci Opera Australia Box Office Canio Diego Torre (02) 9318 8200 www.opera.org.au Nedda Anna Princeva

Tonio José Carbó Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Silvio Samuel Dundas Opera House Beppe John Longmuir

Co-production with the Royal Opera With the Opera Australia Orchestra and House, Göteborg Opera Sweden and La Opera Australia Chorus Monnaie Brussels.

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