This recording presents a live performance of Mascagni’s opera Cavalleria Rusticana that took place in La Scala, Milan in 1963. The La Scala Orchestra and Chorus are conducted by Gianandrea Gavezzini, and the soloists include the great Italian tenor Franco Corelli and the scarcely less renowned mezzosoprano Giulietta Simionato.

The celebrated Italian tenor Franco Corelli had a major international opera career between 1951 and 1976. Associated in particular with the spinto and dramatic tenor roles of the Italian repertory, he was known universally for his powerhouse voice, electrifying top notes, clear timbre, a very elegant and passionate singing and remarkable performances.

Dubbed the "Prince of tenors", Corelli possessed handsome features and a charismatic stage presence which endeared him to audiences. Although he had a long and fruitful partnership with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City between 1961 and 1975, he also appeared on the stages of most of the major opera houses in Europe and with opera companies throughout North America.

Pietro Mascagni’s opera Cavalleria Rusticana is adapted from a play written by Giovanni Verga based on his own short story. Considered one of the classic verismo operas, it premiered on May 17, 1890 at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome. It is a relatively short piece, and consequently Since 1893 has often been performed in a double-bill with another miniature opera, Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci.