Viva il vino spumeggiante (from the 'Cavalleria Rusticana') - P. Mascagni

Tenor, choir and concert band.

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 Mascagni's most successful opera. It is still a great repertoire favorite, almost always double-billed with Ruggiero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. The aria 'Viva il vino spumeggiante' is sung by Turiddu, a soldier, the son of Lucia. This aria ia a drinking song (brindisi), praising wine that makes one's thoughts turn only to happiness.