Franco Zeffirelli directs these two legendary La Scala productions telling tragic tales of jealousy. Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana features performances by Elena Obraztsova, Plácido Domingo, and Renato Bruson. Leoncavallo's I Pagliacci stars Teresa Stratas, Plácido Domingo, and Juan Pons. Both are conducted by George Pretre. This production of Pagliacci earned director Franco Zeffirelli the coveted Emmy as Best Director in the category of Classical Music Programming.
Direction
Zeffirelli's Emmy-winning staging—opera as cinema.
Acting
Domingo in BOTH operas, somehow sexier dead.
Production
La Scala 1982: peak 80s opera glamour.
Director
Franco Zeffirelli
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Zeffirelli won his only Emmy for Pagliacci's direction, beating his own Cavalleria in the same category.
These 'verismo' operas invented the double-bill tradition; Cav/Pag is still how most Americans experience opera live.
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