"The success at the opening night made history, with a great explosion of audience delight at the end...Outstanding production by Giancarlo del Monaco, Lopez Cobos gives his best...A very high level cast...very potent Violeta Urmana, formidable Canio by Vladimir Galouzine ... it is impossible to listen to a better 'Ridi Paggliacio' today." (La Razon)

"There is no starry names in the Madrid production, but it is well sung and convincingly acted against a bare but realistic set. Violeta Urmana and Vincenzo La Scola are a very convincing Santuzza and Turiddù..." (The Penguin Guide - Cavalleria rusticana)

"It is a genuine pleasure to welcome a new production of Cav and Pag that presents the contrasting tales of jealousy and infidelity with sincerity and dramatic flair. Giancarlo del Monaco and his designer, Johannes Leiacker, set Cavalleria in a stark townscape of white painted buildings and masonry, the black-clad Sicilian women silhouetted under the fierce sunlight." (Gramophone)

"That both these productions work is largely due to Jesús López Cobos's theatrically vital and style-sensitive conducting and two strong casts." (BBC Music Magazine)

Extra features

Interviews with Giancarlo del Monaco, Jesús López Cobos, Violeta Urmana, Vincenzo La Scola, Vladimir Galouzine and María Bayo. Cast gallery.