Organization

Festspiele Zürich

Conductor

Alan Gilbert

Singer

Soprano

Paoletta Marrocu

Santuzza

Contralto

Irène Friedli

Lucia

Cornelia Kallisch

Mezzo-soprano

Liliana Nikiteanu

Lola

Tenor

José Cura

Turiddu

Baritone

Cheyne Davidson

Alfio

Stefano Ranzani

Stage director

Grischa Asagaroff

Costume designer

Luigi Perego

Set designer

Opernhaus Zürich

Others

Choeur de l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo

Orchestra

Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo

Italian

Cavalleria rusticana -  (Rustic Chivalry)

Zurich

Switzerland

Opernhaus

This opera is supported by a musical variety of great arias, short duets and amazing choir passages that add to the unveiled expression of feelings. As a special guest the Argentinian Tenor José Cura stands out with his fascinating singing and acting performance. Besides him Carlo Guelfi as Tonio or Fiorenza Cedolins as Nedda can convince the audience with their great voices. This atmospheric performance directed by Grischa Asagaroff and conducted by Stefano Ranzani is capable to fascinate every opera lover.

OSÉ CURA, "Cavalleria Rusticana" -- Opernhaus Zurich in 2009 
For  Summer Festival in Zurich 
Live from Opernhaus Zurich, 2009  

                  JOSÉ CURA has everything needed to make Turiddu 
speak to the imagination: temperament, a rough, raw voice and a lot of drama in both 
his singing and his appearance. As Turiddu he touches through his intense alternation 
of forte and piano, especially when he says goodbye  to his mother.  
--Place der Opera 
In 2009, JOSÉ CURA, for their summer festival in Zurich, headlined in the acclaimed 
Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci (available on DVD). 
Venue: Opernhaus Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland 
Dates: 6, 9, 11, 14, 17, 19, 21, 26, June and 3, 8, July, 2009 

 Das Opernglas --- The premiere’s central figure was José Cura, who took on both roles, that of Turiddu as well as Canio. As Turiddu, Cura was the ‘macho’ incarnate who, nevertheless, showed surprisingly much fear vis-à-vis Alfio, a carter of higher social standing among the men of this Sicilian village. He performed the Song to Lola so forcefully that his intent seemed the assertion of a claim rather than exuding charm. As things progressed, he found the way to ‘soft’ (piano) sounds which stood in contrast to his ringing out (to his metallizarre i suoni), a juxtaposition that fit in perfectly with the conception of the role.

Die Suedostschweiz --- As Turiddu in Mascagni’s ‘Cavalleria,’ he showed the bright side of his magnificent and powerful voice—a voice of substance and foundation, which also has a smooth, rich flow—in conjunction with the complex and intelligent employ of vocal resources: not only loud and extroverted, but differentiated in the service of two very different roles of Turiddu and Canio. Thus Cura downgraded everyone to supernumerary status. Compared with Cura, the other singers had a hard time.   

Zürichsee-Zeitung ---- Opera right out of a picture postcard: Something clicks here. To an extraordinary degree, it is due to the acting talents of José Cura, who is singing the part of Turiddu as well as that of Canio. Dazzlingly brilliant his voice in the sweeping melodic arches of ‘Cavalleria,’ remarkably vigorous and lively in the articulation of the drinking song "Viva il vino spumeggiante."  

Music Web International --- The singing in this production is very strong. José Cura’s character may be a rat – and is beautifully characterized as such - but he has the voice of a lion. He ramps up the emotion to breaking point, both in his confrontation with the abandoned Santuzza and his farewell to his mother.  

Schafbhauser Nachrichten --- A fireworks display of emotions: The star of the evening was clearly José Cura. The Argentine-born tenor had taken on the risky venture of interpreting an all too recklessly acting Turiddu in “Cavalleria rusticana” as well as Canio in the opera “Pagliacci” after the intermission. His outstanding performance, with regard to singing as well as acting, was one of the most impressive factors in a show rife with emotion.

Rustic Chivalry by Mascagni, From (2009/2009), Directed by Grischa Asagaroff,, Conductor Alan Gilbert, Stefano Ranzani, Opernhaus, Zurich, Switzerland

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Co-Producer

Program, About & Synopsis

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Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues