Pietro Mascagni Cavalleria rusticana

The setting: a Sicilian village. The peasant Turiddu becomes engaged to Lola before leaving for military service. Upon his return, he discovers that she has married the carter Alfio. Turiddu seeks comfort in an affair with Santuzza, whom he promises to marry. However, this doesn’t please the flirtatious Lola, who, with her husband away on business, begins to toy with her former fiancé. Santuzza, desperate to save her relationship, confronts Turiddu. Although denying any interest in Lola, he has clearly fallen under her spell once again. The conflict between the couple escalates: Turiddu violently rejects Santuzza, and her love is transformed into hate. When Alfio returns home, a bitter Santuzza tells him about the advances between Turiddu and Lola during his absence. Enraged, Alfio vows vengeance. He tracks down his rival among a large group of villagers, whom Turiddu has invited for some wine after church. Alfio refuses an offered glass – thereby, according to custom, challenging Turiddu to a duel. He accepts and, following Sicilian tradition, bites Alfio’s right ear during their embrace to show that he is willing to fight with knives to the death. Turiddu then asks his mother, Lucia (who is unaware of the impending duel) for her blessing, begging her to look after Santuzza should he not return. Santuzza and the villagers gather, everyone waiting fearfully. Suddenly, a woman screams from the distance: “Hanno ammazzato compare Turiddu!” (“They have murdered Turiddu!”). This cry brings the opera to a sudden close.