Cavalleria rusticana
by
Pietro Mascagni -C
Arena
14 July 2006 at 21.15
Principal Conductor Lü Jia
Director Gilbert Deflo
Scenographer William Orlandi
Costume Designer William Orlandi
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.
