Lyric Opera of Chicago: Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci March 27, 2009

It's double the passion and double the revenge in these two italian shockers. In 'Cavalleria,' a besotted and possibly pregnant Santuzza is ditched by Turiddu, who's rekindled his libidinous relationship with the now-married Lola. But Santuzza won't go quietly and tells Lola's husband everything. It's a duel to the death Sicilian style as a cuckolded husband exacts his revenge! Then, 'Pagliacci' - the famous play-within-a-play where the clown who makes others laugh is sobbing inside. Why? Because onstage and off, his actress-wife is having a torrid affair with a younger man! Presented in Italian with projected English subtitles.