My Take on Cavalleria Rusticana’s Easter Hymn

We rejoice that our Saviour is living! This is the translation to “Inneggiamo, il Signor non è morto,” which should say, “We rejoice that our Saviour is not dead!” but that’s another story.

In the opera Cavalleria Rusticana, the character of Santuzza sings the “Easter Hymn”–also referred to as both “Regina Coeli” and “Inneggiano”–to herself on the side as her Sicilian village takes part in the Easter procession and festivities. One of the most moving pieces of the opera and recognized by pop culture through its inclusion in The Godfather, Part III, Cavalleria Rusticana’s “Easter Hymn” is a beautiful piece of theater with–I think–a touching meaning behind it.

To sum it up, Santuzza is ostracized in her village because she fooled around with Turiddu, who rebounded with her after his fiancée Lola married another man. Lola’s husband Alfio often travels, and Turiddu drops Santuzza faster than you can say “The Lannisters send their regards. **stab**” to run back to his beloved. That doesn’t make up for the fact that Santuzza’s been excommunicated and everyone hates her.

When they all gather in town to celebrate Easter and sing “Regina Coeli,” Santuzza watches from the sidelines–but joins in anyway. In some performances, she’s in the house physically separated from the crowds. Others feature her hidden on the side, and feeling threatened by the statues as they approach. However, I heard through colleagues and YouTube comments (the latter are not usually the best source, but bear with me for this case) the “purpose” Pietro Mascagni had for this scene: to illustrate that everyone is open to forgiveness and salvation. Even those who are “excommunicated” are welcomed to God and Jesus, and no individuals can them otherwise. Even when the religious figures come to life to either “embrace” or “damn” Santuzza in later performances, she is still overcome with emotion and grateful as she sings her praise and celebration for Christ rising from the dead. No matter what we believe in, it’s hard to deny the beauty behind this piece–in its music, imagery, and philosophy.

This is a heartwarming point I always try to make to people: no matter what we’ve done in the past, it does not define who we are now. Whether people love us or hate us, we are still entitled to the joy, sorrow, and celebrations they are all, especially in culture and religion. And one point in all performances that I think cements this is how Santuzza’s voice leads and blends in with the others. No one dare call her out or tell her to “shut up,” because they are all one as a community celebrating Easter together, even if only for a brief moment–or between seven to four minutes.

To see what I’m talking about, check out these awesome performances of the piece!
Cavalleria Rusticana in The Godfather, Part III (Easter Hymn featured from 4:04-5:24)
Easter Hymn by Royal Opera House (Featured photo is from this performance)
Inneggiamo by Maria Callas
Regina Coeli in Cavalleria Rusticana 1982 film (Fun Fact: This movie has the same director as the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet)

Print Sources:
http://www.smallopera.org/Recitals/Pages/cavall_story.html
http://www.murashev.com/opera/Cavalleria_rusticana_libretto_English_Italian