2006-07-14 Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni), Arena di Verona

Santuzza = Giovanna Casolla
Lola = Rossana Rinaldi
Turriddu = José Cura
Alfio = Carlos Almaguer
Lucia = Paola Fornasari

Lü Jia, conductor

Director - Gilbert Deflo
Scenographer - William Orlandi
Costume Designer  - William Orlandi


Arena
14 July 2006 at 21.15



Finally I was going to see Jose Cura as Turriddu in Cavalleria Rusticana, and he was wonderful. He sang the Siciliana high up on the steps. Unfortunately for me where I was sitting a saw only the column hiding him. He sang and walked very relaxed. He was the perfect Turriddu. Giovanna Casolla who sang Turandot last year with Jose Cura
as Calaf was not so right as Santuzza. She really reminded me why I think this role should be sung by a mezzo soprano. But she did her best to be Santuzza but she was obviously only acting. Rossana Rinaldi was an attractive Lola, making it very obvious why Turriddu preferred her to Santuzza. Jose Cura played a man very much in love with Lola. Carlos Almaguer was an efficient Alfio, very dry voice though. Paola Fornasari was perfect as Lucia. Giovanna Casolla's Santuzza was always best in interaction with Turriddu and Lucia.