Today December 7 is Mascagni's Birthday

Pietro Mascagni was born in Livorno, Italy on this day (December 7) in 1863. This is as good an occasion as any to play some of his music! As for me, I am playing the grand duet from Il piccolo Marat with Mafalda de Voltri and Hipolito Lázaro.

December 7 was Mascagni's birthday

Friday, December 7 was Mascagni's birthday: he would have been 144 years old. To celebrate, I am listening to a live performance of Zanetto, a real favorite of mine. This minature opera is a real gold mine of beautiful melodies, and close to musical perfection. One of my favorite parts: Silvia sending Zanetto "Dunque, di là, dove splende l'aurora !" and the sheer melancholy of the musical comment which follows.