Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin has outdone herself this week, presenting a nostalgic pairing of Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci.

Pietro Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana

Metropolitan Opera
Nino Verchi, conductor
16 November 1959

In-house recording

Turiddu – Jussi Björling
Santuzza – Giulietta Simionato
Alfio – Walter Cassel
Lola – Rosalind Elias
Mamma Lucia – Thelma Votipka

This was one of Jussi Björling’s final Metropolitan Opera performances before his untimely death on 09 September 1960 at age 49 (his final Met appearance was as Turiddu on 22 December 1959).

Ruggiero Leoncavallo: Pagliacci

Metropolitan Opera
John Nelson, conductor
03 December 1974

In-house recording

Canio – Richard Tucker
Nedda – Anna Moffo
Tonio – Norman Mittelmann
Silvio – Lenus Carlson
Beppe – Robert Schmorr
Villager – Erbert Aldridge
Villager – Glenn Bater

This was Richard Tucker’s final Metropolitan Opera performance before his untimely death on 08 January 1975 at age 61.

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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