Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci

Derided by critics and adored by audiences, one-act sensations Cavalleria Rusticana ('rustic chivalry') and Pagliacci ('the buffoon') are the ultimate double bill, known either scathingly or affectionately as 'Cav and Pag'. Composed only two years apart, both exemplified – or indeed, codified – versimo, a short-lived but hugely popular operatic movement that featured blue-collar workers in contemporary dress and showed human nature at its most base and brutal. But Cav and Pag's similarities don't end there; both chronicle adulterous love, savage passions and violent ends, and neither composer ever reached such heights again.

The name 'rustic chivalry' is somewhat ironic, since few characters display any honour, Sicilian or otherwise. Nevertheless, Cavalleria Rusticana's story of seduction, jealousy, infidelity and an innocent woman scorned found a permanent place in the repertoire. It's remained a constant despite the fact that critics disagree on whether the music is too sweet or too coarse for the subject matter (it varies). Struggling composer Pietro Mascagni entered Cav in a 'star search' style competition, and the judges chose wisely; on opening night he took 20 curtain calls. Cav was an international hit.

Ruggiero Leoncavallo took notice. A musical prodigy who, unusually, wrote his own libretti, the composer spent years playing piano in dusty foreign cafés after an impresario made off with his money. However, upon hearing of Mascagni's success he wrote his own one-act verismoopera in response. Based on an actual case his father heard as a circuit court judge about an actor that murdered his wife, who was also his co-star, Pagliacci is a well-constructed play-within-a-play that sees the real drama unfold onstage. Canio learns that his wife Nedda has been unfaithful, and that tonight's performance will reveal her lover's identity. As he prepares for the curtain, he sings the raw, anguished, now iconic 'Vesti la giubba' ('put on the costume') and 'Ridi Pagliaccio' ('laugh, clown'). Cavand Pagare perennial favourites with operagoers – but better still, this bare-knuckled double blow of heartbreak and utter despair has the power to turn any opera neophyte into a convert.

Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci is at the NCPA from Wednesday 13 August to Sunday 17 August.