Cavalleria rusticana

In the learning process, for a singer, one should try to see or hear anything that has been done on tape or video regarding a role you are learning. You should see it once and then throw out the video so that you don't do an impression of the performance you are seeing, but I digress. Upon seeing a scene in Cav, I was thrown back in my chair. The director was sitting next to me and she axed(sic) what I had seen.

What I had seen was Domingo giving the most vile gesture a man can do to another man and he gave it to his woman. It was stunning. We used that gesture and to heighten the effect, my Santuzza was pregnant and I had to do that vile gesture to her every performance.

It is a little thing that professionals throw in that often times the audience is not aware of nor should they be. It is simply a moment that rings true, as good art always should.

Was the film great, no. There were flaws that come from choices and then again my review will be flawed for the same reasons.

I recommend it highly and hope you get to read this if you are starting out in the business.

All the best.