RUSTIC chivalry and clowns do not sound like inseparable bedfellows. But these two one-acters, Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo's I Pagliacci, have been virtually joined at the hip since they heralded the arrival of 'verismo' - real-life opera - in the 1890s.

How then could the two halves of York Opera's new double bill so much resemble chalk and cheese?

First night nerves are part of the reason. Mascagni's Sicilian shocker, here directed by Ian Small, is no cake-walk.

The orchestra under Alasdair Jamieson felt the full responsibility of opening it and, unlike later in the evening, sounded unfamiliar with the score and thus incohesive.

Call it the Tim Henman factor. Inevitably Ernesto Correa's Turiddu caught some of the tension in his siciliana during the prelude. Nor was the Easter Hymn convincing.

It was left to Patricia Casement's superb Santuzza to raise the emotional temperature. From deep inside her role, she poured out the grief heart-rending of a jilted lover with utter conviction.

Maggie Soper's Lucia gave more than a helping hand. Paula Sides as Lola (the 'other' woman), by virtue of taunting smiles and sweet tone, rubbed salt in the wounds.

Jonathan Golding's straight-backed Alfio was not quite the expected tough guy, more the uncomprehending peasant out for revenge.

The tawny stonework of the Mediterranean piazza, designed by John Soper, acquired a little wooden makeshift stage for I Pagliacci, which was directed by Clive Marshall. Here the nerves seemed to have fallen away.

No small reason for this was Clive Goodhead's Tonio, whose firm, forthright prologue totally allayed any audience misgivings that might have survived the interval.

The chorus were now more at ease, less fidgety. The orchestra relaxed into a new stride, undoubtedly buoyed by Brian Kingsley's agile tuba.

In David Neild's Canio, we sensed at once the inner despair of the clown, a vital portrait. But the most riveting singing of the evening came from Sharon Nicholson-Skeggs as Nedda: not merely her full-throated climactic moments but in her complete control, notably at the intimate close of her love-duet with Ian Thomson-Smith's endearing Silvio.

It is a privilege to have her back in York. A happy evening in the end.

Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci, York Opera, Theatre Royal, York. Continuing tonight, Friday and Saturday. Box office: York 623568.

Updated: 11:01 Wednesday, June 22, 2005