On January 26 at 8 pm, the National Opera and Ballet is set to present Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana,” under the baton of Ukrainian conductor Oksana Madarash.

Described as a “pearl of an opera, steeped in passion and driven by revenge,” and acknowledged as one of the world’s most beloved and frequently performed operas, according to a press release from the National Opera and Ballet.

The production will be directed by Italy’s Giandomenico Vaccari, with assistant directors Alessandro Idonea from Italy, Ljupka Jakimovska, and Trajko Jordanovski. Katerina Stojkovska will serve as the assistant conductor.

The cast includes Sandra Mitrovska as Santuzza, Zoran Sotirov as Turiddu, Riste Velkov as Alfio, Katerina Stojanovska as Lola, and Marika Popovikj as Mother Lucia. Accompanying them will be the National Opera Ballet choir and orchestra, led by concertmaster Verica Lambevska and choirmasters Gjurgica Dashikj and Jasmina Gjorgjeska.

The artistic design features contributions from Zoran Nikolovski (set), Vasil Lisichov (lighting), and Elena Doncheva (costumes).