Cavalleria Rusticana is a tempestuous drama of adultery and revenge set in a remote Italian village. Its earthy passions, bold confrontational scenes and richly melodic score set a fashion for so-called 'verismo' opera that would endure for more than a decade. Ultimately Cavalleria Rusticana became Pietro Mascagni's most successful opera. It is still a great repertoire favorite, almost always double-billed with Ruggiero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. The Intermezzo Sinfonico is the most well known part of the opera and played between the first and the second act.
