Despite the growing influence of the "verismo" style of opera during the 1880s and early 1890s, Alfredo Catalani chose to compose in a more traditional manner, which showed traces of German symphonism

Catalani, who died at the age of 39, was a sensitive and delicate composer. Much admired by Arturo Toscanini, today his works are rarely performed in the theatre. La falce ("The Sickle"), on a poetic text by Arrigo Boito, was his first opera and was created at the Teatro del Conservatorio in Milan on 19 July 1875. His symphonic Prologue is an authentic masterpiece and all this short opera will thrill you with its dark colours and the passionate phrasing of the protagonists.

Cast:
- Zohra: Paoletta Marrocu (soprano)
- Un falciatore: Fabio Armiliato (tenor)