the work was mascagni's homage to rossini and to the italian opera buffa and commedia dell'arte traditions. it was premiered simultaneously in six italian opera houses on 17 january 1901: la scala (with caruso as florindo, carelli as rosaura, and toscanini conducting); the teatro carlo felice in genoa; the teatro regio in turin; the teatro costanzi in rome; la fenice in venice; and the teatro filarmonico in verona. two days later, it premiered at the teatro san carlo in naples.