Cavalleria Rusticana (1959 film) Cavalleria Rusticana (1959 film) Cavalleria Rusticana is a 1959 Australian TV play, an adaptation of the opera by Pietro Mascagni. It was directed by Alan Burke. Music was provided by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by Georg Tintner. In a Sicilian village, the peasant girl Santuzza falls for the tanner Turiddu. However he tires of her and returns to his old love, Lola. To get revenge, Santuzza tells Lola's husband Alfio about the love affair, resulting in a duel with knives between Alfio and Turiddu. It was the fourth live opera from the ABC following, "The Telephone," "Pagliacci", and "Prima
Welsh National Opera supporters in December 1943; at that meeting the name of the proposed organisation was changed to "Welsh National Opera Company". By January 1944 plans were far enough advanced for the company's first rehearsals to be held. Owen recruited a local businessman, W. H. (Bill) Smith (1894–1968), who agreed to serve as business manager. At first doubtful of the company's prospects, Smith became its dominant influence, leading fund-raiser, and chairman for twenty years from 1948. The new company made its debut at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cardiff on 15 April 1946 with a double bill of "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci".