Composer: Pietro Mascagni
Works: Cavalleria Rusticana Prelude, Intermezzo; L’Amico Fritz Intermezzo; Isabeau Intermezzo; Silvano Barcarola; Le Maschere Sinfonia; Inno a Rosaura (choir); Furlana (choir); Dansa esotica; Guglielmo Ratcliff Sogno; Iris Prelude
Performers: Choir and Orchestra of the Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, Tiziano Severini (conductor)
Recording: Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, Trieste, Italy
Label: DYNAMIC CDS 379
Pietro Mascagni, a luminary of the Italian verismo movement, is often overshadowed by the monumental success of his opera Cavalleria Rusticana. This live recording commemorating the 50th anniversary of his death offers a rare opportunity to explore both the well-trodden and the obscured corners of his symphonic and choral oeuvre. While Mascagni is primarily celebrated for his operatic contributions, this collection reveals a composer rich in lyrical and orchestral imagination, albeit one whose post-Cavalleria works struggled to achieve similar acclaim.
Under the baton of Tiziano Severini, the performance captures a vibrant spectrum of Mascagni’s musical language. The Prelude and Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana are performed with the requisite fervor, showcasing the lush orchestration that characterizes Mascagni’s style. Severini’s interpretation is marked by a keen understanding of the dramatic contours inherent in these works, allowing the music to unfold with an organic flow. The Intermezzo from L’Amico Fritz is particularly noteworthy, with its pastoral themes beautifully rendered through deft string work that evokes the idyllic setting of the opera.
However, the recording is not without its challenges. While the orchestra exhibits commendable cohesion, certain sections—particularly in the viola and cello desks—reveal moments of under-rehearsed detail. This is especially apparent in the Sinfonia from Le Maschere, where the intricacies of Mascagni’s orchestration are occasionally obscured by a lack of precision. The live format introduces the unpredictability of audience engagement, culminating in distractions that compromise the latter part of the concert, though one hopes these coughs are not a reflection of disinterest.
The inclusion of lesser-known works such as the Barcarola from Silvano and the Dansa esotica provides a broader perspective on Mascagni’s versatility beyond the operatic stage. The Barcarola, with its dreamlike quality, features soft, folk-inspired melodies that showcase Mascagni’s penchant for atmospheric textures. Yet, one cannot overlook the more conventional scoring of the Hymn to the Sun from Iris, where the choral contributions, while competent, lack the distinctive flair that characterizes the best of Mascagni’s choral writing.
Sound quality is generally commendable, though it reflects the challenges of live performance. The orchestra, while warm and lyrical under Severini’s direction, occasionally falters in clarity, particularly in the more complex passages that demand meticulous attention to orchestral balance. The overall engineering is satisfactory, allowing the audience to feel immersed in the concert atmosphere, albeit at the cost of some sonic detail.
This recording, while a commendable celebration of Mascagni’s legacy, serves as a reminder of the composer’s dual existence as both an operatic titan and a composer with broader ambitions. For the serious collector, it offers a valuable insight into the richness of his symphonic and choral works, though one must approach it with an understanding of the limitations posed by the live format and the occasional lapses in performance detail. This anthology ultimately enriches our appreciation of Mascagni, even as it underscores the enduring dominance of Cavalleria Rusticana in his repertoire.
