Teatro Regio di Torino opens its season with the two pillars of Italian Verismo. From October 15 to November 21, 2026, Teatro Regio di Torino presents the quintessential double bill of Verismo: Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci.
In Cavalleria rusticana, Mascagni carves out a gripping drama of jealousy. The raw directness of Verismo and the blinding Sicilian light transform betrayal into a blood ritual with a lightning-fast pace and overwhelming emotional power. A landmark of opera history that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, in contrast, turns a brutal true crime story into an arena of passion. Here, the boundaries between life and theater dissolve in the desperate cry of a betrayed soul—a gripping experience that shakes the audience to its core.
Plot of Cavalleria Rusticana
This explosive one-act opera is a journey into the psyche of a betrayed woman. Santuzza, consumed by rage and abandonment, awakens ancient, bloody codes of honor. Mascagni’s music—frank, raw, and abruptly violent—is what cemented Verga’s novella as the ultimate Sicilian drama of jealousy. Since its triumph at the 1890 Sonzogno competition, it has been hailed as the birth of musical Verismo. In Turin, Music Director Andrea Battistoni conducts, with world-renowned Ekaterina Semenchuk portraying the powerful role of Santuzza.
Plot of Pagliacci
Leoncavallo claimed the story of Pagliacci was true—a murder he witnessed as a child. As the Prologue announces a “slice of life” (squarcio di vita), the audience is forced to ask: where does reality end and performance begin? Premiered in 1892, it shares the southern Italian setting with Cavalleria and features iconic melodies like “Vesti la giubba,” yet it stands out with its original stage concept and subtle orchestral nuances.
This new production by Francesco Micheli completes the Verismo project. The role of Canio will be shared by Martin Muehle and Carlo Ventre, with a special return of the beloved Gregory Kunde for one performance. Carolina López Moreno stars as the rebellious Nedda, a woman showing extreme courage in her attempt to escape a possessive husband.
Cast and Creative Team of Cavalleria Rusticana | Pagliacci
Melodrama in one act
Music by Pietro Mascagni
Libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci
based on from the eponymous Scènes populaires by Giovanni Verga
World premiere: Rome, Teatro Costanzi, 17 May 1890
Conductor • Andrea Battistoni
Director • Daniele Menghini
Sets • Davide Signorini
Costumes • Nika Campisi
Lights • Gianni Bertoli
Choreography • Marco Caudera
Dramaturgy • Michele Panella
Chorus master • Gea Garatti Ansini
Orchestra, Chorus and Children’s Chorus Teatro Regio Torino
New staging Teatro Regio Torino
Overtitles in Italian/English
Santuzza • Ekaterina Semenchuk, Maria Teresa Leva
Turiddu • Ivan Gyngazov, Amadi Lagha
Alfio • Ariun Ganbaatar, Simone Piazzola
Lucia • Elena Zilio, Agostina Smimmero
Lola • Veta Pilipenko
Drama in a prologue and two acts
Music by Ruggero Leoncavallo
Libretto by Ruggero Leoncavallo
World premiere: Milan, Teatro Dal Verme, 05/21/1892
Conductor • Andrea Battistoni
Director • Francesco Micheli
Sets • Davide Signorini
Costumes • Giada Masi
Lights • Gianni Bertoli
Choreography • Matteo Ceccarelli
Dramaturgy • Michele Panella
Chorus master • Gea Garatti Ansini
Children chorus master • Claudio Fenoglio
Orchestra, Chorus and Children’s Chorus Teatro Regio Torino
New staging Teatro Regio Torino
Overtitles in Italian/English
Nedda • Carolina Lopez Moreno, Maria Teresa Leva
Canio • Martin Muehle, Carlo Ventre, Gregory Kunde
Tonio • Ariun Ganbaatar, Fabián Veloz
Peppe • Matteo Mezzaro, Matteo Falcier
Silvio • Joshua Hopkins, Rodion Pogossov
Booking Process
Music trip to Turin for 3 days / 2 nights with premium tickets for the opera “Cavalleria Rusticana | Pagliacci”. The highlight of the trip is a visit to the renowned Teatro Regio on the second evening to experience a spectacular performance in a historic setting with international stars. You can choose between the Essential and Superior Package.
Each travel package will be composed according to your wishes. Follow the booking process:
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Passion, jealousy, and a "slice of life": Teatro Regio opens the season with the Verismo classics Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. A gripping double bill featuring stars like Ekaterina Semenchuk and Gregory Kunde.
Passion, jealousy, and a "slice of life": Teatro Regio opens the season with the Verismo classics Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. A gripping double bill featuring stars like Ekaterina Semenchuk and Gregory Kunde.
Passion, jealousy, and a "slice of life": Teatro Regio opens the season with the Verismo classics Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. A gripping double bill featuring stars like Ekaterina Semenchuk and Gregory Kunde.
Passion, jealousy, and a "slice of life": Teatro Regio opens the season with the Verismo classics Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. A gripping double bill featuring stars like Ekaterina Semenchuk and Gregory Kunde.
Passion, jealousy, and a "slice of life": Teatro Regio opens the season with the Verismo classics Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. A gripping double bill featuring stars like Ekaterina Semenchuk and Gregory Kunde.
Passion, jealousy, and a "slice of life": Teatro Regio opens the season with the Verismo classics Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. A gripping double bill featuring stars like Ekaterina Semenchuk and Gregory Kunde.
Passion, jealousy, and a "slice of life": Teatro Regio opens the season with the Verismo classics Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. A gripping double bill featuring stars like Ekaterina Semenchuk and Gregory Kunde.
In Turin at The Regio
