As a newbie to opera can anyone suggest how I can learn more. I am going to my first performance in November "Cavalero Rustican" I love Maria Callas & Angela Ghergiou.
How exciting! Cavalleria rusticana is one of the most well known verisimo operas, which you can read about here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verismo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verismo). You can also read about the opera (and the composer) on wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalleria_rusticana (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavalleria_rusticana). The libretto is here: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14370 (http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14370)
I think listening or watching the opera is helpful before you go. But at a minimum, I would read a plot summary. The more you can follow what is going on, the more you will enjoy it I think.