Balthasar-Neumann-Ensemble – Thomas Hengelbrock – Pietro Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana CD

In November 2022, there was a memorable performance at the Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden: “Cavalleria rusticana” by Pietro Mascagni, THE key work of musical verismo, was heard again for the first time as the audience experienced the work at its premiere in Rome in 1890. Conductor Thomas Hengelbrock had reversed cuts and restored the original vocal range of some of the singers’ parts. Meticulous study of the autograph score enabled him to implement the composer’s original instructions in exemplary fashion. He was supported in this by his ensemble Balthasar Neumann Choir and Orchestra, trained in “historically informed performance practice”, as well as by a top-class ensemble of young and motivated soloists. The result sounds exciting and rousing and in part excitingly new.