The New York Opera Forum brings Gianni Schicchi and Cavalleria Rusticana to Forest Hills Gardens

On Sunday, May 22, at 3 p.m., Saint Luke’ s Church, Forest Hills, presents the New York Opera Forum in a concert performance of two classics of the Italian opera repertoire. Pietro Mascagni’ s Cavalleria Rusticana, a prime example of the richly expressive
verismo genre, offers a Sicilian “ slice of life” in all its naked passions. Mascagni’ s farrago of jealousy and betrayal finds its lighthearted antithesis in Giacomo Puccini’ s charming and effervescent Gianni Schicchi. This witty one-act sets to music a farcical tale from Dante’ s Divine Comedy, in which the title character’ s clever con game provides the inspiration for a score of full of humor and romance, including the enchanting and
immortal aria “ O mio babbino caro.

The cast of Cavalleria Rustcana includes Jacqueline Quirk as Santuzza, Peter Lewis as Turiddu and Karole Lewis as Mamma Lucia. For Gianni Schicci, Ted Dougherty sings the title role, with Victoria Lotkowicz as Lauretta, Sergio Davila as Rinuccio and Karole Lewis as Ciesca.

The double bill plays for one performance only in the beautiful, historic sanctuary of Saint Luke’ s Church, located at 85 Greenway South, between Ascan Ave. and Harrow St., in Forest Hills Gardens. A complimentary wine-and-cheese reception with the artists will follow the event. The suggested donation is $12 ($10 for students and seniors). For reservations or further information, please call 718-268-7772, or visit www.gingerbreadplayers.org.