Giovanni Verga in the Fields"), including ""Fantasticheria"" ("Daydreaming"), ""La lupa"" ("The She-wolf"), ""Jeli il pastore"" ("Jeli the Shepherd"), ""Pentolaccia"" ("The Plaything"), and "Rosso Malpelo", most of which were about rural Sicily, came out. It also included ""Cavalleria rusticana"" ("Rustic Chivalry"), which he adapted for the theatre and later formed the basis for several opera librettos including Mascagni's "Cavalleria rusticana" and Gastaldon's "Mala Pasqua!". Verga's short story, ""Malaria"", was one of the first literary depictions of the disease malaria. He then embarked on a projected series of five novels, but only completed two, "I Malavoglia" and "Mastro-don Gesualdo" (1889), the second of which
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".