Text

The 2013 aerogramme commemorates the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945). Mascagni is best known for his opera Cavalleria Rusticana (1890), a work often performed along with Ruggaio Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. Mascagni also composed fourteen lesser-known operas, a symphony, and choral works. The first performance of Cavalleria Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) met with wild enthusiasm at its first performance, with the composer receiving 40 curtain calls. Music historian Milton Cross terms the opera as "...a grim story of illicit love and revenge.. that the events take place on an Easter morning adds still further to the dramatic effect." Mascagni, and Sistine Chapel Choir Maestro Perpetuto Don Lorenzo Perosi were a part of the verismo (realism) composer school of the early 20th century. Milton Cross states this represented a trend toward "naturalistic themes" and "human appeal" in opera stories, rather than the "blood and thunder historical dramas" of some earlier operas. Mascagni enthusiastically took up the Fascist cause in the 1920s, replacing Toscanini as conductor at La Scala (Milano). After the war, his property was confiscated, and he died destitute in Rome 2 August 1945 and is buried at the Misericordia Cemetery in Livorno, Italy. 
The Vatican issued an aerogramme commemorating the 150th anniversary of Pietro Mascagni's birth. The aerogramme depicts Mascagni's image and the €2,00 imprint contains a Mascagni musical score. 
References: 
• Milton Cross, The New Complete Stories of the Great Operas (Garden City: 1955). Mascagni references are located on pp. 132-133. • Encyclopedia of the Great Composers and their Music, Volume I (Garden City: 1962). Mascagni information is located on pp. 460-462.

Update A Postal Database Record