Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci in a Grand Production (20:30)

The performance is presented in Italian with Russian and Hebrew subtitles. The Vienna-Tel Aviv Vocal Bond and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra proudly present: Cavalleria Rusticana - Pagliacci in a grand production with 150 participants. Singers of the Vienna-Tel Aviv Vocal Bond with stars from the world's leading opera houses, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and four choirs. Conductor: David Aronson of the Vienna State Opera. Directed by: Rosemary Danziger. Choir conductor: Asaf Bnarie. The Vienna-Tel Aviv Vocal Bond is one of the important opera institutions in Israel. It is the only one that carries full-scale, internationally high-level opera productions across the country for opera-loving audiences everywhere. Indeed, the applause of audiences filling the halls testifies to the sweeping success of this important cultural enterprise. The pure enjoyment and warmth with which the operas "The Marriage of Figaro" and "Die Fledermaus" were received give those behind this art the strength and energy to keep treating this wonderful audience to more quality opera performances. In this production, two short operas will be presented: Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni and Pagliacci (I pagliacci) by Ruggero Leoncavallo. Both operas are among the most beloved gems of Italian opera among opera fans. It is customary for this pair of operas to be performed in a single evening, with each lasting about an hour and each divided into two parts by an instrumental intermezzo; both belong to the genre known as verismo, characterized by sharp realism, presenting human emotions in the deepest way through total musical and dramatic means. Casting verismo operas requires singers with large, powerful dramatic voices capable of conveying emotions erupting from the depths of the soul. For the Vienna-Tel Aviv Vocal Bond's production, international singers who have performed these demanding roles in major opera houses around the world were chosen for the lead roles. Maestro David Aronson of the Vienna State Opera and international director Rosemary Danziger will lead the soloists, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and four choirs (including a children's choir) into the eye of the storm of these masterpieces. Verismo as a literary and operatic genre—its brutal realism appeals to the viewer's raw sorrow, presenting the storm of human emotion before them without embellishment. The viewer is tossed about together with the tragic hero, understanding him but also horrified by that very understanding. Love and passion sweep the heroes away, leading them down uncontrollable paths. The events in both operas take place within a realistic world, within society, within its fixed customs; such as the religious rite, the Easter procession in Cavalleria Rusticana, and a church wedding ceremony (in this version). The world goes on as usual, and within it interpersonal dramas unfold that pour into the public space. In both operas the public/communal space is expressed through the extensive use of split choruses, representing different groups in society, whether they are women and men returning from field work, community members watching the Easter procession, or worshippers in church. In this production, the four accompanying choirs are entrusted to the capable hands of Maestro Asaf Bnarie, who has conducted opera choirs around the world and at the Israeli Opera. The rich orchestration emphasizes the sharpness of the plot, while at the same time wrapping it in an aesthetic envelope. This contrast contributes to the encounter between the storm of emotions and the reality surrounding it. Already in the ancient world, philosophers discussed the catharsis that occurs both in the viewer and in the performer when watching a tragedy or performing the tragic role. Aristotle, in the Poetics, speaks of the fear and pity that arise in the viewer and the tragic performer. This involves a kind of processing of the evil inherent in humankind and its transformation into compassion, while drawing conclusions...