MUSIC

“Intermezzo” Cavalaria Rusticana (P. Mascagni); Petite Suite, “Bateau” (C/Debussy);

Symphony One, Andante, Allegro Energico; IV, “Finale” (J. Sibelius):

Capriccio Italien (P. Tschaikowsky); “CORE INGRATO; (C. Cardillo)

Symphony 3 Adagio Moderator, organ Poco Adagio; Intro & Rondo Capriccio (Saint Saens);

”La Spagnola” (V. Chiari); Symphony Two Adagio (S. Rachmaninoff)

STORY

Enzo Speranza is born 1849 in Valguanera , Sicily, where he enjoys the peasant life and enjoys the rich church services where he learns that “I must do good in my life to get to Heaven.” In 1848 revolutions sweep over Sicily and his peasant father is killed in the revolt. With the father dead the Spanish landlord evicts his mother from their farm, so she moves with Enzo to live with their uncle in Venice, ruled by the Austrians. Enzo grows up to be a sailor but his mother falls ill and slowly dies with Enzo caressing her. Meanwhile, he confronts his girlfriend Caterina why she did not visit his dying mother to which she replies she never loved Enzo and is already betrothed. Enzo bursts with great rage as he sings, 'CORE INGRATO.” Sailing to Spain Enzo is tempted by the voluptuous Lola. Yet, he resists but works with her band of contra-bandits to smuggle arms to Genoa for King Victor Emmanuel the patriotic leader of Piedmont in the struggle for Italian independence from foreign rule. ”I must do good,” Enzo says to himself, “to get to Heaven.” Finally, in 1860, on a trip to Finland, Enzo meets Inge, and they fall in love and sail back to Venice for their wedding when a fierce gale occurs and Enzo falls from the mast, crushes his ribs and slowly bleeds to death. With Inge in tears holding his head, Enzo speaks of his love for Inge and Italy with his last breath.