Verismo's Creative Deceptions: The Fictions of the Italian South in Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci

Dr. Jane Sylvester, speaker

Verismo, or Italian realism, was a late nineteenth century movement in Italy inspired by presenting “life as it is.” This talk explores the scandalous tales, new ideas of personal identity, and regional stereotypes of the Italian North and South that informed the stories and music of both Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. Ultimately, this talk will allow us to question how—and why—practitioners of opera have transformed tall tales and outright fictions into artistic realities.