 It was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 15 December 1913.Mascagni (b. Livorno, 7 Dec 1863; d. Rome, 2 Aug 1945) achieved success early on in his compositional life with one of his most famous operas, "Cavalleria Rusticana".With this opera he overcame at least 70 rival composers to win the Sonzogno competition in 1888.