Earth and Space News: Cav Pag Was Franco Zeffirelli’s Third Met Opera Production

Summary: Cav Pag was Franco Zeffirelli’s third Met Opera production, with his double-billed new staging debuting Jan. 8, 1970.

Italian director Franco Zeffirelli directed and designed costumes and sets for his new production of Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, which debuted, along with his new production of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, at Met Opera in the 1969-1970 season: Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli Onlus, via Facebook Jan. 8, 2021

Cav Pag was Franco Zeffirelli’s third Met Opera production, with his new staging for the double-billed Italian rustic operas debuting in the 1969-1970 Met Opera season.

The Metropolitan Opera debuted Italian film, opera and television director and producer Franco Zeffirelli’s new productions of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci on Thursday, Jan. 8, 1970. The double-billed operas received 19 performances in the 1969-1970 season.

As with his first two Met Opera productions, Franco Zeffirelli (Feb. 12, 1923-June 15, 2019) directed both operas and designed the costumes and sets. His first Met Opera production, Falstaff by 19th-century Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901), debuted March 6, 1964. His second staging for Met Opera, the world premiere of Shakespeare-based Antony and Cleopatra by 20th-century American composer Samuel Barber (March 9, 1910-Jan. 23, 1981), debuted Sept. 16, 1966, as the inaugural opera for the company new opera house in Manhattan’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Zeffirelli’s new staging of Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) debuted in the opera house’s 441st performance of the rustic verismo Sicilian opera by Italian opera composer Pietro Mascagni (Dec. 7, 1863-Aug. 2, 1945). The season premiere reunited Zeffirelli with American conductor Leonard Bernstein (Aug. 25, 1918-Oct. 14, 1990). Zeffirelli and Bernstein made their Metropolitan Opera debuts in Zeffirelli’s first Met Opera production, Verdi’s Falstaff. Bernstein conducted the first five of the 1969-1970 season’s 19 performances of Cavalleria Rusticana.

Zeffirelli’s new staging of Pagliacci (Clowns) debuted in the opera house’s 481st performance of the verismo village tragedy by Italian opera composer and librettist Ruggero Leoncavallo (April 23, 1857-Aug. 9, 1919). Fausto Cleva (May 17, 1902-Aug. 6, 1971) conducted the season’s first five performances. The Italian-born American operatic conductor had made his Met Opera debut Saturday, Feb. 14, 1942, in the opera company’s 178th performance of Il Barbiere di Siviglia by 19th-century Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (Feb. 29, 1792-Nov. 13, 1868).

Kurt Adler (March 1, 1907-Sept. 21, 1977) conducted the last 14 performances of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci. The Austrian-born Jewish American chorus master and conductor made his first appearance at Met Opera on March 26, 1944, in the Gala Sunday Night Program’s presentation of Act II Dances of the Vestales of Brahma from Lakmé by French Romantic Era composer Clément Philibert Léo Delibes (Feb. 21, 1836-Jan. 16, 1891).

Italian director Franco Zeffirelli directed and designed costumes and sets for his new production of Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, which debuted, along with his new production of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci at Met Opera in the 1969-1970 season: Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli Onlus, via Facebook April 16, 2020,

The Metropolitan Opera staged 16 revivals of Zeffirelli’s productions of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci. The first two revivals took place successively in the 1970-1971 and 1971-1972 seasons.

The first revival, in 1970-1971, offered 12 performances of Cavalleria Rusticana and eight performances of Pagliacci. The two operas received the same number of performances in revivals two through 16.

The third and four revivals took place successively in the 1973-1974 and 1974-1975 seasons. The fifth revival happened in the 1977-1978 season. The sixth and seventh revivals occurred successively in the 1979-1980 and 1980-1981 seasons. Met Opera launched two more revivals in the 1980s, with the eighth in 1985-1986 and the ninth in 1988-1989.

The production’s last seven revivals spanned the last decade of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century. The 10th through 16th revivals occurred in the 1992-1993, 1994-1995, 1996-1997, 1999-2000, 2004-2005, 2006-2007 and 2008-2009 seasons.

The last performance of Zeffirelli’s Cav Pag productions took place April 10, 2009, in the opera house’s 670th and 712th performances of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, respectively. The final performances numbered as the 230th and 226th performances, respectively, of Zeffirelli’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci. Zeffirelli’s production, from debut to final performance, spanned 39 years 3-plus months.

Six years elapsed between the final performances of Zeffirelli’s productions and the staging of new productions of Cav Pag at the Metropolitan Opera. Sir David McVicar’s new productions debuted April 14, 2015, in the opera house’s 671st and 713th performances, respectively, of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci. The Scottish opera and theatre director’s new productions received eight performances in the 2014-2015 season.

The Metropolitan Opera has staged two revivals of Sir David’s Cav Pag. The first revival, with 11 performances each, took place in the 2015-2016 season. The second revival, with seven performances, was offered during the 2017-2018 season.

The takeaways for Cav Pag as Franco Zeffirelli’s third Met Opera production are that the Italian designer and director’s staging of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci garnered 230 and 226 performances, respectively; experienced 16 revivals; and endured for 39 and one-fourth years in the Metropolitan Opera’s regularly performed repertory.

Italian director Franco Zeffirelli directed and designed costumes and sets for his new production of Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, which debuted, along with his new production of Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, at Met Opera in the 1969-1970 season: Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli Onlus, via Facebook April 4 2020

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

“Debut: Fausto Cleva.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 133000 Il Barbiere di Siviglia {178} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/14/1942.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=133000

“Debut: Ignace Strasfogel.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 174990 La Périchole {16} Auditorium, Birmingham, Alabama: 05/6/1957.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=174990

“Debut: Kurt Adler.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 155660 Die Zauberflöte {114) Matinee ed. Metropolitan Opera House: 01/12/1951.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=155660

“Debuts: Luigi Alva, Leonard Bernstein, Franco Zeffirelli.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 197440 New Production Falstaff {67} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/6/1964.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=197440

“Debuts: Leontyne Price, Franco Corelli.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 186960 Il Trovatore {320} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/27/1961.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=186960

Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli Onlus. "Added a new photo." Facebook. Jan. 8, 2021.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/fondazionefrancozeffirelli/posts/1350482985287176/

Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli Onlus. "#storiedarchivio #pilloledispettacolo. In attesa di iniziare Dietro Le Quinte, rassegna di percorsi guidati alla Collezione, all’Archivio e alla Biblioteca della Fondazione Zeffirelli, ecco una straordinaria immagine dal nostro Archivio: l’ingresso della compagnia degli attori in Pagliacci. Quest’immagine fa parte del materiale selezionato per il percorso guidato “Zeffirelli, l’Opera e l’America” in programma alla Fondazione al termine dell’emergenza sanitaria, e si riferisce allo spettacolo del 1970 al Metropolitan Opera House di New York. Tante volte Zeffirelli tornerà alla messa in scena di Leoncavallo, raccontando il fascino sinistro dei protagonisti, e enfatizzando l’aspetto di cronaca nera di cui è narrazione. Del fascino terrificante dei pagliacci nel teatro e nel cinema parleremo anche nel prossimo appuntamento con Pillole di Spettacolo. Vi aspettiamo https://bit.ly/2wYzRMA." Facebook. April 4, 2020.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/fondazionefrancozeffirelli/photos/pb.100063789780327.-2207520000./1121366354865508/
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/fondazionefrancozeffirelli/posts/1121366354865508/

Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli Onlus. "#storiedarchivio #pilloledispettacolo. Oggi è la volta di Cavalleria Rusticana in una bellissima foto di scena dal nostro Archivio. Siamo di nuovo al Metropolitan Opera House di New York nel gennaio del 1970. Lo spettacolo di Cavalleria Rusticana avrebbe dovuto in realtà andare in scena nel settembre 1969, in occasione dell’inaugurazione della stagione. Un compatto e duraturo sciopero (4 lunghi mesi!) di tutti i dipendenti ne compromise però la messa in scena. Fu in realtà la determinazione di Zeffirelli a salvare in extremis lo spettacolo coinvolgendo l’amico Leonard Bernstein, Franco Corelli (Turiddu) e Grace Bumbry (Santuzza) in una nuova e ricostituita compagnia. 'Sentii che l’unico modo per spezzare la maledizione, che a quanto pareva avevo ancora addosso, era di non arrendermi e di mandare in scena lo spettacolo a dispetto di tutto.' FZ. Non vediamo l'ora di accogliervi di nuovo di persona per raccontarvi le tantissime storie custodite dalla Collezione Zeffirelli. Intanto #iorestoacasa, contagiato dall'arte, dalla bellezza e dalle nostre pillole di spettacolo!" Facebook. April 16, 2020.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/fondazionefrancozeffirelli/photos/pb.100063789780327.-2207520000./1131171203885023/
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/fondazionefrancozeffirelli/posts/1131171203885023/

Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli Onlus @fondazionefrancozeffirelli. “All’alba del 1970, l’8 gennaio di 49 anni fa, Franco Zeffirelli va in scena a New York con 'Pagliacci' di Leoncavallo in occasione dell’inaugurazione del Metropolitan Opera House. Il grande successo dell’Opera segna per il Maestro una svolta decisiva per la sua vita professionale e privata: 'Avevo percepito, con la prima di Cavalleria e Pagliacci al Met, che gli anni Settanta avrebbero portato con loro una completa ripresa della mia buona sorte. . .' FZ.” Facebook. Jan. 8, 2019.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/fondazionefrancozeffirelli/photos/a.521465231522293/788432164825597/

Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli Onlus @fondazionefrancozeffirelli. “Cavalleria Rusticana nel 1969 al Metropolitan di New York fu il primo grande impegno internazionale di Zeffirelli dopo l’incidente automobilistico che lo aveva visto in pericolo di vita: dopo la conferma della presenza di Bernstein come direttore d’Orchestra 'andai da Franco Corelli, che se ne stava in solitario isolamento nella suite di un albergo di New York. Riuscii a convincerlo a uscire dal suo incomprensibile ritiro per cantare la parte di Turiddu.' FZ #dicembreconzeffirelli 28 dicembre, "Zeffirelli e Bernstein al MET: Cavalleria Rusticana" https://bit.ly/2UsQ5Vd.” Facebook. Dec. 19, 2018.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/fondazionefrancozeffirelli/photos/a.521465231522293/782549955413818/

Fondazione Franco Zeffirelli Onlus @fondazionefrancozeffirelli. “Dopo l’intenso lavoro per Cavalleria Rusticana al MET, Franco Zeffirelli ricorda così il suo ritorno alle scene mondiali e all’opera: 'Le ovazioni dopo la prima furono la migliore medicina di cui avessi bisogno, la dimostrazione che ero ancora in grado di dominare la mia professione. Uscendo alla ribalta per ricevere gli applausi, dissi un addio pieno di sollievo al 1969, a quello strano decennio che si stava chiudendo con tutto il Bene e tutto il Male che aveva portato nella mia vita.' Venerdì 28, Zeffirelli e Bernstein al MET: Cavalleria Rusticana ➡ https://bit.ly/2UsQ5Vd.” Facebook. Dec. 26, 2018.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/fondazionefrancozeffirelli/photos/a.521465231522293/786626881672792/

Heyman, Barbara B. Samuel Barber: The Composer and His Music. New York NY; Oxford UK: Oxford University Press, 1992.

Marriner, Derdriu. "Antony and Cleopatra Was Franco Zeffirelli’s Second Met Opera Production." Earth and Space News. Monday, June 15, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/antony-and-cleopatra-was-franco.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Cav Pag Is Jan. 13, 2018, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Jan. 8, 2018.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/01/cavpag-is-jan-13-2018-met-opera.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Franco Zeffirelli Made His Met Opera Debut in Staging Verdi’s Falstaff." Earth and Space News. Monday, June 1, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/franco-zeffirelli-made-his-met-opera.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Luigi Alva Made Met Opera Debut in Zeffirelli’s Falstaff Production." Earth and Space News. Monday, June 8, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/luigi-alva-made-met-opera-debut-in.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Only Two of 11 Zeffirelli Productions Are Still Revived at Met Opera." Earth and Space News. Monday, May 25, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/05/only-two-of-11-zeffirelli-productions.html

The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. “Legendary director Franco Zeffirelli (1923–2019), who created 11 Met productions between 1964 and 1998, worked with many of opera’s greatest artists, from Leontyne Price to Leonard Bernstein to Plácido Domingo. Look back on his unparalleled career with this collection of snapshots of him at work. Photo: With Grace Bumbry and Leonard Bernstein at the premiere of his production of Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana Photo courtesy of Met Archives.” Facebook. June 22, 2019.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/a.134969600532/10162094338010533/

The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. “Franco Corelli and Richard Tucker sang Turiddu and Canio, respectively, in the 1970 premiere of Franco Zeffirelli’s picturesque staging of the double bill. The production would continue to be performed over the course of the next 40 years. Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci is on stage this season at the Met through February 1. bit.ly/2qW0jlA.” Facebook. Jan. 11, 2018.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/a.134969600532/10159972687640533/

“New Productions: Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: New Productions Cavalleria Rusticana {441} Pagliacci {481} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/8/1970.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=220100

Plotkin, Fred. “Remembering Franco Zeffirelli (1923-2019).” WQXR > Operavore. June 17, 2019.
Available @ https://www.wqxr.org/story/remembering-franco-zeffirelli-19232019/

Sherrill Milnes @SherrillMilnes. "In memory of the great Franco Zeffirelli, I wanted to share a few photos and an article from the Milnes archives. This is from our performance of Pagliacci at the The Metropolitan Opera with Teresa Stratas, Richard Tucker with Franco directing. He will be missed. #SVFPagliacci." Facebook. June 24, 2019.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/SherrillMilnes/posts/2244764739106315

“World Premiere: Antony and Cleopatra.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 208000 World Premiere Antony and Cleopatra {1} Broadcast ed. Metropolitan Opera House: 09/16/1966.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=208000

Earth and Space News

Monday, June 22, 2020

Cav Pag Was Franco Zeffirelli’s Third Met Opera Production

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