On Jan. 21 the double bill "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci" will open with star tenors Yonghoon lee and Roberto Alagna in the leading roles.

The Music

The music for both operas is very different as they are written by two distinct Italian composers. Mascagni's score for "Cavalleria" is very direct and raw as well as honest. It provides some of the most memorable moments in all of opera including Turiddu's famous aria "Mama, Quel Vino" and Santuzza's wrenching aria "Voi lo sapete." The opera is also famous for its lush Intermezzo, which is often heard outside the context of the opera, most notably in the film "Raging Bull."

In contrast to Mascagni's work Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" is the expression of verismo opera. It provides for memorable melodies but also for intense emotion. The way Leoncavallo unites each scene seamlessly and transitions from solos to ensembles is unique and original. There is also a very famous intermezzo in the opera but the work is perhaps best known for its tenor aria "Vesti la giubba." Caruso's rendition of the aria was what made the piece so popular as it became the recording industry's first million-seller.

The History

Both operas have not always been performed together and as it happens "Cavalleria" was introduced at the Met in 1891 alongside the first act of Verdi's "La Traviata." On that night Emma Eames performed the demanding role of Santuzza while Fernando Valero performed Turiddu.

In 1893 "Pagliacci" was introduced into the repertory with Nellie Melba in the role of Nedda and Fernando de Lucia. For the premiere, the work was performed with Gluck's "Orfeo ed Eurdice"

On third performance of "Pagliacci," "Cavalleria Rusticana" was performed and that was the first time in Met history that the two operas were performed together.

Since then the works have become staples for the repertory. While not always performed together recently it is difficult to see one without the other. Since then "Cavalleria Rusticana" has been performed 678 times while "Pagaliacci" has been performed 720 and is still the most popular one.

Among the most renown tenors to have taken on both roles in the history of the Met are Hermann Jadlowker, Placido Domingo, Alagna, Jose Cura and Salvatore Licitra.

The Production

The current production premiered last season and was directed by David McVicar. For that run Marcelo Alvarez performed both roles and sang alongside Patricia Racette and Eva-Maria Westbroek.

For the current production McVicar set the action in the same village across two generations. "Cavalleria" is set in 1900 and made up of blacks with the performers dressed in black costumes and uses chairs and tables. For "Pagliacci" the director sets the action 1949 and McVicar has colorful costumes and sets. For the performance act he uses Vaudeville Theater and provides numerous comic elements to the tragic tale.

Last season the performance was part of the Live in HD series and was broadcast in movie theaters.

The Performers

"Cavalleria Rusticana"

The role of Santuzza will be sung by Mezzo soprano Violetta Urmana. The acclaimed mezzo first performed the role in 2005 at the Met and later went on to transition into a dramatic soprano, performing some of the leading works in Wagner and Verdi works. As of late she recently returned to mezzo works and performed Amneris in Verdi's "Aida."

Acclaimed dramatic soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska will also perform the work after her success in Verdi's "Aida" at the Met. Monatsyrska recently performed Santuzza in Salzburg where she scored rave reviews alongside Jonas Kaufmann.

Lee returns to the Met after a stunning turn in Verdi's "Il Trovatore." Lee performs his first Met Turiddu. The dramatic tenor has become a Met favorite after great work in "Don Carlo," "Nabucco," and "Carmen." The tenor is one of the most in-demand singers and well known for his acting skills and his musical phrasing.

Riccardo Tamura rotates with Lee in the role of Turiddu while Ambrogio Maestri rounds out the cast as Alfio.

"Pagliacci"

Alagna returns to his acclaimed Canio in Leoncavallo's work. The tenor has been thrilling audiences since his 1996 debut and has since performed a wide range of repertory including Rodolfo in "La Boheme," Romeo in "Romeo and Juliette," the title role of "Werther," Radames in "Aida" and Don Jose in "Carmen." He first performed Canio at the Met in 2005.

Barbara Frittoli returns to the Met in the role of Nedda in her Met role debut. The Italian spinto made her debut in 1995 in the role of Micaela in "Carmen" and since then has performed roles in "Otello," "Don Giovanni," "Luisa Miller" "Cosi Fan Tutte," "La Boheme," "Simon Boccanegra" and "Don Carlo."

Rounding out the cast will be George Gagnidze as Tonio and Alexey Larov and Rodion Pogossov sharing the role of Silvio.

Fabio Luisi will conduct the Met orchestra and chorus in 11 performances