Pagliacci - Show Information
The tragic story of a jealous husband in a commedia dell'arte troupe.A bit unusual for an opening, Tonio pushes his head through the closed curtains before the opera actually begin. Then, he sings a prologue to the work.
The scene opens with a festive air, singing, dancing, and a decorated donkey pulling a cart. Canio tells the crowd that Tonio, the clown, will appear at seven o'clock.
The clown finds opportunity to make love to Canio's wife while she makes a mockery of him. She wants Silvio, not the clown. Later, Canio draws a dagger to chase Silvio for his improprieties with Canio's wife.
A makeshift stage play, to some extent, mimics the action in the opera.
Murders, plans to elope, and lots of revelry on stage make this an exciting opera.
| Music | Ruggero Leoncavallo |