Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945) was an Italian composer and conductor, born in Livorno, Tuscany, and one of the leading figures of operatic verismo - a style built on raw, everyday drama rather than aristocratic fantasy. His one-act opera Cavalleria rusticana (1890) caused an immediate sensation at its Rome premiere, swept across Europe within a year, and single-handedly launched the verismo movement in Italian music. He wrote fifteen operas in total, and while none matched the global impact of his debut, L'amico Fritz and Iris have held their place in the Italian repertoire ever since.
A new production of Cavalleria rusticana opened at the Opéra Orchestre National de Montpellier and the Opéra Théâtre de Saint-Étienne, continuing the opera's unbroken run of major European stagings.
Teatro alla Scala staged a revival of Mario Martone's production of Cavalleria rusticana paired with Pagliacci, with a live stream on 26 April 2024.
Blackheath Halls Opera presented Cavalleria rusticana in London in September 2024, performed in English with a community chorus of 80 singers aged 8 to 80.
The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden revived Damiano Michieletto's production of Cavalleria rusticana in a double bill with Pagliacci, running from November to December 2023.