ENO opens the 2008/9 season with a new production of these two works which injected a powerful dose of realism into opera when they first appeared at the end of the 19th century. Both are tales of adultery.

Cavalleria rusticana is the bitter tale of the rivalry between two women for the love of one man. Pagliacci’s story-within-a-story makes for an intense theatrical experience and boasts one of the great tenor roles in Italian opera in the vengeful husband Canio.

ENO Music Director Edward Gardner conducts new English versions from T.S Eliot Prize-winning poet Sean O’Brien for Cavalleria and Oscar-nominated playwright Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) for Pagliacci. Director Richard Jones’ production promises to breathe new life into this much-loved double bill.

Dates
Opened: 20th Sep 2008
Closed: 23rd Oct 2008

10 Performances.

Run Time: Two hours and 45 minutes

Sign-language interpreted performance: Oct 15