San Jose Opera Production Closes
Opera San José's production of the classic double bill 'Cavalleria Rusticana | Pagliacci' concluded its run on March 1st. Meanwhile, Children's Musical Theater San Jose is currently presenting 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' through March 7th.
The pairing of Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana" and Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" was directed by Opera San José's General Director, Shawna Lucey. This production set both one-act operas in the same Sicilian village, with "Cavalleria" taking place before World War I and "Pagliacci" set after World War II, creating a continuous narrative thread. A notable aspect of the production was its feminist interpretation, which aimed to highlight the power dynamics between men and women of the era. To enhance accessibility for the South Bay's diverse audience, the performances featured supertitles in both English and Spanish. The cast included soprano Maria Natale as Santuzza and tenor Ben Gulley as Canio. This double bill was a key part of Opera San José's 42nd season, which is centered on the theme "What Is Love?". Following this production, the company's season will conclude with Verdi's tragic love story, "La Traviata," running from April 19th to May 3rd, 2026. Meanwhile, Children's Musical Theater San Jose's production of 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' is a Tony Award-winning musical. The show features a book by Rachel Sheinkin and a score by William Finn, telling the story of six quirky adolescent spelling champions. The CMT Mainstage production showcases performers aged 14-20.
