(Posted October 15, 2012)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The Juniata Concert Choir, in concert with the State College Choral Society, will perform the opera "Cavalleria Rusticana" as part of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra's concert at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Mishler Theatre in Altoona, Pa.

Tickets for the concert are $33 for adults and $13 for students with a current student ID. Tickets can be ordered online at http://mishlertheatre.org.

"Cavalleria Rusticana" is familiar to movie fans because the opera is the centerpiece of the final scenes of "The Godfather, Part III."

The two choral ensembles are directed by Russell Shelley, Elma Stine Heckler Professor of Music at Juniata College.

The entire concert will be devoted to the performance of "Cavalleria Rusticana," by Pietro Mascagni. The opera is the story of a young man who returns from military service only to find that his fiancée has married another man. A series of betrayals bring the opera to its tragic end.

The concert is the first time the Altoona Symphony Orchestra has performed a full-concert opera. The Orchestra is conducted by Teresa Cheung, artistic director of the ensemble.

"Cavalleria Rusticana" is familiar to movie fans because the opera is the centerpiece of the final scenes of "The Godfather, Part III."

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.