Acustica rusticana: Boston Lyric’s first-rate Cavalleria hobbled

By Kevin Wells, 05 October 2021

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“no-holds-barred singing and an impassioned orchestra ratcheting up the dramatic tension”

Reviewed at Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston on 3 October 2021

Mascagni, Cavalleria rusticana

Boston Lyric Opera

David Angus, Conductor

Giselle Ty, Director

Julia Noulin-Mérat, Set Designer

Gail Astrid Buckley, Costume Designer

Molly Tiede, Lighting Designer

Michelle Johnson, Santuzza

Adam Diegel, Turiddu

Chelsea Basler, Lola

Nina Yoshida Nelsen, Mamma Lucia

Javier Arrey, Alfio

Boston Lyric Opera Chorus

Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra

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Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells was bitten by the opera bug at 10, having heard a 1936 recording of Jussi Björling singing “Che gelida manina”. He has never been the same since. A student of voice, performance practice, the history of singing and opera, he holds advanced degrees in Italian and has lived and worked in Italy off and on since the 70s. La Scala became a second home as the Met had been during college daze. Now in his native Boston, he works as translator, tutor, and language coach, haunts Symphony Hall, and would haunt the Opera House had it not been demolished in 1958!

Acustica rusticana: Boston Lyric Opera’s first-rate Cavalleria hobbled