Leader, Philip Whiteway
Conducted by PETER MONTGOMERY
Mascagni's first and only successful opera, Cavalleria Rusticana (' Rustic Chivalry '), played itself straight into popular affection on the opening night in Rome, forty-five years ago, and it has stayed there ever since. Three generations of opera-goers all over the world have surrendered to its fascination, millions more are familiar with every note of its tunes, and though it is now not so frequently heard in the more celebrated opera houses of the great cities, few repertory companies would even today risk going on tour and leaving it out of the bill.
But Mascagni has never repeated such an international success. Le Maschere, the overture to which will be heard this afternoon, was produced eleven years after Cavalleria Rusticana. He showed a certain audacity and optimism by producing this opera simultaneously in seven different cities, but despite this publicity, it was not a success. It was hissed at Milan, Venice, Verona, Naples, and Turin, and at Genoa the audience refused to allow the performance to be brought to an end.

Relayed from
St. James's Parish Church, Belfast
Order of Service
Hymn, Father, again in Jesus' Name we meet (I.C.H. 455)
Confession, The Lord's Prayer, and Versicles
Psalm cxix, 97-112 Lesson
Magnificat (Charles Wood in E flat) Creed and Collects
Hymn, Sunset and Evening Star
(I.C.H. 679)
Intercessions
,Hymn, Father of Mercies, in Thy
Word (I.C.H. 475)
Address by the Very Rev. W. S. KERR,
Dean of Belfast Hymn, 0 Word of God incarnate
(I.C.H. 472)
Blessing