Skopje, 16 January 2024 (MIA) — The National Opera and Ballet will perform Pietro Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana," conducted by Ukrainian conductor Oksana Madarash, on Jan. 26 at 8 pm.

"'Cavalleria Rusticana' is a pearl of an opera, steeped in passion and driven by revenge, and it is one of the world's most loved and performed operas," a press release from the National Opera and Ballet said.

The director is Giandomenico Vaccari from Italy and assistant directors are Alessandro Idonea from Italy, Ljupka Jakimovska, and Trajko Jordanovski. The assistant conductor is Katerina Stojkovska.

The cast consists of Sandra Mitrovska as Santuzza, Zoran Sotirov as Turiddu, Riste Velkov as Alfio, Katerina Stojanovska as Lola, and Marika Popovikj as Mother Lucia.

They will be accompanied by the National Opera Ballet choir and orchestra. The concertmaster is Verica Lambevska and the choirmasters are Gjurgica Dashikj and Jasmina Gjorgjeska.

The set was designed by Zoran Nikolovski. The light was designed by Vasil Lisichov. The costumes were designed by Elena Doncheva. mr/