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Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci
November 01. 2025 - November 23. 2025
Upcoming Dates
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November 01. 2025 - November 23. 2025
Opera's most thrilling double bill returns after more than 15 years. Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci
This duo of passionate one-act operas explores the depths of spurned lovers’ grief and the lengths they’ll go to in avenging betrayal. Deadly love triangles unfold against starkly contrasted backdrops of an idyllic Sicilian countryside and a chaotic urban center.
Music Director Enrique Mazzola leads a a world-class cast that includes Lyric favorites Russell Thomas, Quinn Kelsey, and Gabriella Reyes in Elijah Moshinsky’s original production.
With two shorter operas in a single performance, this is a perfect sampler for new operagoers. More seasoned audiences know it’s a delicious opportunity to revisit these tragic classics.
- Language: Sung in Italian with projected English titles
- Running Time: 2 hours and 55 minutes, including 1 intermission
- Location: Lyric Opera House
- Composers: Pietro Mascagni & Ruggero Leoncavallo
Sponsors
Lyric’s presentation of Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci are generously sponsored by Josef & Margot Lakonishok and Sonia Florian*.
Maestro Enrique Mazzola is generously sponsored by Alice & John Butler, H. Gael Neeson, Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel, the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation, Mary Stowell, and the Zell Family Foundation as members of the Enrique Circle.
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Chorus is generously sponsored by an Anonymous Lead Sponsor.
*deceased
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POST SHOW NOVEMBER 9, 2025
Artist Talkback
Artist Talkback
You are invited to a post show discussion immediately after the performance on Sunday, November 9, led by Roderick K. Hawkins and the artists of Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci. Hear directly from members of the cast about the thrills and challenges of working on these two classic operas by digging into the shared themes of passion, honor, and betrayal.
Pre-opera talk
Speaker: Roger Pines
Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.
Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.
Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.
Artists
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Yulia Matochkina *
Santuzza
-
SeokJong Baek *
Turiddu
-
Quinn Kelsey **
Alfio & Tonio
-
Lauren Decker **
Mamma Lucia
-
Gabriella Reyes
Nedda
-
Russell Thomas
Canio
-
Luke Sutliff *
Silvio
-
Enrique Mazzola
Conductor
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Elijah Moshinsky
Original Director
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Michael Yeargan
Set & Costume Designer
-
Duane Schuler
Lighting Designer
-
Michael Black
Chorus Director
Peter McClintock
Revival Director
* Lyric debut
** Ryan Opera Center alumni
Credits
Photo credit: John Shaw/Lyric Opera of Chicago