Opera Wilmington presents a double bill of passion, sacrifice, and unforgettable music with the staging of these two Italian one-acts.

The pairing, according to Opera Wilmington Artistic Director Nancy King, “offers a compelling narrative arc, putting women’s voices at the center of both works.”

Puccini was inspired by the success of Mascagni’s one-act Cavalleria rusticana to write three one-acts himself. That set, which he called Il Trittico (The Triptich), consists of Suor Angelica, Il Tabaro and Gianni Schicci. Suor Angelica, however, is often staged on its own.

Set in a convent, the opera tells of the personal heartbreak and uplifting religious redemption of a young sister, Suor Angelica.

Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana is a tale of love, jealousy and revenge, set in Sicily. The opera’s Intermezzo is often performed as an orchestral piece.

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Puccini’s Suor Angelica Mascagni’s Cavelleria Rusticana

University of North Carolina Wilmington

End the season with a breathtaking blend of iconic energy, lyrical grace, and emotional depth. Rossini’s William Tell Overture sets the stage, followed by Mascagni’s tender Intermezzo and Boccherini’s virtuosic Cello Concerto featuring cellist Zlatomir Fung. The evening culminates with the sweeping grandeur of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, the perfect climax to a remarkable season of classical music.

Rossini, Boccherini, Mascagni & Rachmaninoff

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

In Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, Turiddu returns from military service to discover his fiancée, Lola, married to another man, Alfio. Seeking revenge, Turiddu seduces the village girl Santuzza, but rekindles his affair with Lola. Betrayed and heartbroken, Santuzza exposes the affair to Alfio, sparking a chain of events that leads to a tragic showdown on Easter Sunday.

Leoncavallo's Pagliacci  follows a troupe of traveling actors performing traditional Italian commedia dell’arte. Canio, the troupe’s leader, suspects his wife, Nedda, of infidelity. As jealous tensions rise and the offstage drama mirrors the onstage performance, real-life passions boil over into a deadly conclusion. Inspired by a true crime, this gripping opera blurs the line between theater and reality.

Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci

Manship Theatre

Experience the enchanting melodies of the New Jersey Symphony at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. This free outdoor concert offers a delightful evening under the stars, featuring a diverse program that includes timeless classics, Broadway themes, and patriotic favorites. The performance celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Garden State with pieces like John Williams’ Liberty Fanfare and John Philip Sousa’s Atlantic City Pageant March. 

The symphony will perform a variety of beloved compositions, including the stirring Star Spangled Banner by John Stafford Smith and Damrosch, the elegant Polonaise from Eugene Onegin by Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and the dramatic Overture to Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi. Audiences will also be treated to the beautiful Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Peter Mascagni and selections from Georges Bizet’s Carmen.

Adding to the evening’s charm, the program includes Valerie Coleman’s Seven O’Clock Shout, Aaron Copland’s Saturday Night Waltz and Hoe Down from Rodeo, and selections from George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess arranged by Bennett. The concert will also feature a tribute to Frank Sinatra with Salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, an Armed Forces Salute arranged by Lowden, and the rousing Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline, this concert promises a memorable musical experience. The event is supported by Mayor Steven M. Fulop, the Jersey City Municipal Council, and the Office of Cultural Affairs, with funding from the Arts and Culture Trust Fund and the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation.

New Jersey Symphony at Liberty State Park in Jersey City

Liberty State Park

Experience an enchanting evening with the New Jersey Symphony at Marine Park in Red Bank. Under the baton of conductor Joshua Gersen, this free outdoor concert offers a delightful medley of timeless classics, Broadway themes, and patriotic favorites. The program celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Garden State with pieces like John Williams’ Liberty Fanfare and John Philip Sousa’s Atlantic City Pageant March. 

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Navesink River, the concert features a diverse repertoire, including John Stafford Smith and Damrosch’s The Star-Spangled Banner, Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise from Eugene Onegin, Verdi’s Overture to Nabucco, and Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana. Audiences will also enjoy selections from Bizet’s Carmen, Copland’s Saturday Night Waltz and Hoe Down from Rodeo, and Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, arranged by Bennett. 

The evening continues with a tribute to Frank Sinatra in Salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, arranged by Moss, and a patriotic Armed Forces Salute, arranged by Lowden. The concert concludes with Sousa’s iconic Stars and Stripes Forever, ensuring a memorable night of music under the stars. This event is presented by Red Bank RiverCenter, with a rain location at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. Programs and artists are subject to change.

New Jersey Symphony at Marine Park in Red Bank

Marine Park

Experience the enchanting melodies of the New Jersey Symphony as they perform an outdoor concert amidst the picturesque landscape of Branch Brook Park in Newark. Under the baton of conductor Joshua Gersen, this free program offers a delightful medley of timeless classics, Broadway themes, and patriotic favorites. The evening's repertoire includes John Williams' Liberty Fanfare, John Philip Sousa's Atlantic City Pageant March, and other celebrated pieces that pay homage to the Garden State. 

The concert opens with the stirring notes of The Star-Spangled Banner, followed by the elegant Polonaise from Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin and the dramatic Overture to Verdi's Nabucco. Audiences will be captivated by the serene Intermezzo from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and the vibrant selections from Bizet's Carmen. The program also features Valerie Coleman's Seven O’Clock Shout, Copland's Saturday Night Waltz and Hoe Down from Rodeo, and Gershwin's selections from Porgy and Bess, arranged by Bennett. 

In addition, the Symphony will perform a tribute to Frank Sinatra with Salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, arranged by Moss, and honor the armed forces with Armed Forces Salute, arranged by Lowden. The concert concludes with Sousa's iconic Stars and Stripes Forever, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. This event is presented in collaboration with the Prudential presents North2Shore Festival and is sponsored by the County of Essex with additional support from Citizens Bank.

New Jersey Symphony at Branch Brook Park in Newark

Branch Brook Park Hall

Italy’s mystery and allure run throughout this SF Symphony Youth Orchestra program. Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana brings operatic heat, while Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture etches a dramatic portrait of a Roman general. Sibelius’s Second Symphony recalls Italy in its sun-drenched opening before yielding to icy Nordic winds and defiant Finnish national pride. Also on the program, SF Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition winner Aeneas Yu performs Keiko Abe’s dazzling Prism Rhapsody for marimba and orchestra.

Peter Mascagni

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 28, 2027

Sibelius 2 · San Francisco Symphony

Past events

17 - 26 Jul, 2026

Puccini’s Suor Angelica Mascagni’s Cavelleria Rusticana · Opera Wilmington

11 - 13 Apr, 2026

Rossini, Boccherini, Mascagni & Rachmaninoff · Segerstrom Center for the Arts

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