Freethought Almanac

Lighting a candle in toxic air.

December 7: Pietro Mascagni

Pietro Mascagni

Pietro Mascagni (1863)

It was on this date, December 7, 1863, that Italian composer Pietro Mascagni was born in Livorno. Today, he is chiefly remembered as composer of Cavalleria rusticana (Rustic Chivalry), his one-act opera written, as he put it, for the heart and not the head. Mascagni's opera was not only popular in its day — it premiered on 17 May 1890 at the Teatro Costanzi, Rome, when Mascagni was Director of the Rossini Conservatory at Pesaro — but it is still performed to this day. And to this day, Mascagni's other works of similar quality, are neglected. The reason may be, because he hoped it would lead to more performances of his operas, that Mascagni chose to became official composer of Benito Mussolini's fascist regime. But when the fascists were defeated, so was Mascagni's musical reputation.

Some of his best works include church music, and his Cavalleria rusticana is set in front of a church. Even so, Mascagni himself had no religious belief. His biographer, Giannotto Bastianelli, says that he was a pagan even in his religious compositions.* Pietro Mascagni died in Rome on 2 August 1945.

* Giannotto Bastianelli, Pietro Mascagni, Naples: Riccardo Ricciard, 1910.

Originally published December 2003.

Ronald Bruce Meyer

Our Fearless Leader.


Daily Almanac

Week in Freethought History (May 20-26)

Here’s your Week in Freethought History: This is more than just a calendar of events or mini-biographies – it’s a reminder that, no matter how isolated and alone we may feel at times, we as freethinkers are neither unique nor alone in the world. Last Sunday, May 20, but 206 years ago, my namesake, John […]



Daily Almanac

Coming soon!

Follow me on twitter

@ 2020 Free Thought Almanac