Heralded as "the area's most innovative new opera organization" (Buffalo Spree, Best of WNY 2025), Sotto Voce will stage Pietro Mascagni’s one‐act verismo classic Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) on Friday, March 20 and Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. An abridged performance by the cover cast will be offered on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Cavalleria Rusticana, a timeless tale of passion, betrayal, and heartbreak, will be brought to life by Sotto Voce’s signature expressive singing and innovative staging – including a set evoking a Sicilian village on Easter morning. The production will feature both local and national talent and showcase the power of bel canto vocal technique. Audiences will also experience two original short films accompanying the Overture and Intermezzo, which will enrich the audience’s understanding of the characters’ emotions and deepen the emotional resonance of Mascagni’s score.
This production marks Sotto Voce’s second collaboration with members of the Avanti orchestra, conducted by Mason Cancilla.
