Cavalleria rusticana or Rustic Chivalry is an opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni to an Italian libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci, adapted from a play and short story written by Giovanni Verga. Considered one of the classic verismo operas, it premiered on May 17, 1890, at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome. Since 1893, it has often been performed in a so-called Cav/Pag double-bill with Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo. This classic 1950’s recording stars Maria Callas and Giuseppe di Stefano. Tullio Serafin conducts.
Pagliacci or The Clown is an Italian opera in a prologue and two acts, with music and libretto by Ruggero Leoncavallo. It is the only Leoncavallo opera that is still widely staged. Pagliacci premiered at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan on May 21, 1892, conducted by Arturo Toscanini.
The Pagliacci cast stars Franco Corelli, Tito Gobbi and Lucine Amara. Lovro von Matacic conducts.