Pagliacci

Pagliacci (Clowns) (Leoncavallo). Libretto by comp.; prol. and 1 act; first performance Milan 1892, conducted by Arturo Toscanini.

Montalto, Calabria, about 1870: The disabled clown Tonio tells the audience they will see a real-life drama. Canio is head of a troupe of strolling players. His wife Nedda is having an affair with one of the villagers, Silvio, and rejects Tonio's overtures. He, in revenge, tells Canio of his wife's planned meeting with her lover. Beppe, another trouper, prevents Canio beating Nedda when she refuses to name her lover. Canio puts on his clown make-up as the villagers gather for the performance: Columbine (Nedda) is serenaded by Harlequin (Beppe), then by Taddeo (Tonio). Pagliaccio (Canio) overhears Harlequin and Columbine arrange to meet later and assumes he is her lover. Canio stabs her. Silvio rushes to the stage to try to save Nedda and Canio kills him also.