"The first bars of this prelude have perhaps never been played so beautifully, so velvety and fragile. Before the emotional rollercoaster ride begins. Thomas Hengelbrock and the Balthasar Neumann Orchestra rediscover this 'Cavalleria rusticana' for the listener: purified and yet full of Italianità, naturalistically harsh in the sense of verismo and yet full of subtle suppleness. But above all: in the length and keys that the composer intended in the score of his one-act opera from 1890. The prerequisite for its effect is, of course, an ensemble of such quality. Starting with the orchestra (with gut strings) playing in a historically informed manner based on the turn of the last century. Or the Balthasar Neumann Choir, which fascinates with an unrivalled beauty of sound in the Brindisi alone, which has grown from 114 to 203 bars. The soloists are also great: Carolina López Moreno lends Santuzza a new, bright brilliance. Giorgio Berrugi's spinto tenor has excellent penetrating power. The best 'Cavalleria rusticana' of all time - in a reference recording." (Badische Zeitung)