Pagliacci, quarantined
Having to cancel a production is as emotional as Canio’s gut-wrenching aria. We raise a glass to Michigan Opera Theatre and honor them with this quarantined edition of Pagliacci.
Need to Know
Leoncavallo wrote Pagliacci in response to seeing Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana. The two shorter opera's are often paired today and are referred to as Cav/Pag pairing.
The opera is short and much of its success comes from Leoncavallo’s ability to balance humor, romance, and dark violent moods. It is a show about a traveling Comedia dell’arte acting troupe who’s real lives mirror their stage personas. Comedia dell’arte is a stylized theater genre that dates back to the 16th century, learn more about the genre’s characters here.
Pagliacci is Leoncavallo’s best known opera, but he also composed other operas, nine in total, to varying success, including a version of La Bohème and Zazà. Opera wire explores some of the history behind these other works, click here.
Pagliacci contains one of the greatest tenor arias of all time, “Vesti la giubba” (Put on your costume). The aria is sung by the leading character Canio as he puts on his clown make-up and becomes an emotional wreck as he must play the betrayed clown in his own marriage. Listen to Pavarotti sing the famous aria.
Some of the greatest tenors or the past century have played the role of Canio, including Franco Corelli, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and Mario del Monaco. Enrico Caruso was one of the first great Canios, and his recording in 1907 was the first record in history to sell more than one million copies. Listen to him here.
Verismo, Opera Imitating Life
Verismo, meaning realism, is a post-Romantic style of opera we associate with Italian composers such as Mascagni, Leoncavallo, Cilea, and Puccini. The plot usually center around ordinary people (think La Bohème or Tosca) dealing with their everyday problems. Musically, the genre abandons the traditional recitative into aria form and is more through-composed, with arias arising out of the dramatic nature of the piece.
Bringing real life to stage, Leoncavallo is said to have found inspiration for Pagliacci from a crime report encountered by his father, who was a police magistrate in Naples.
Living his own drama, Enrico Caruso once wrote that as he sang the role of Canio, “he wept genuine tears thinking of his own unfaithful lover.” Read more about the opera and Caruso in this article from the Seattle Times.
Famous Last Line
Pagliacci’s last line, “La Commedia è finita!” (the comedy is ended) is a chilling way to end the show as Canio, having killed his wife Nedda and her lover Silvio, during a performance within the performance, looks at the cheering audience (who have no idea this is real) and delivers the line in the perfect 19th century mic drop.
Don’t cry in my cocktail!
In honor of the opera Pagliacci, your pre-opera cocktail is a “Harlequin”. After one sip you’ll be laughing again clown! See John mix it up here.
Ingredients:
1 oz Gin
1/2 oz Aperol
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1 tsp Honey
3 oz Brut Rose
Orange Peel Garnish
Directions: Add Gin, Aperol, Lemon Juice, and Honey to a shaker with ice and shake. Double strain into a chilled coupe and add Brut Rose, garnish with an Orange peel. Enjoy!
Synopsis
The plot in a minute!
I pagliacci (Clowns) is a drama about a traveling commedia del arte troupe. Canio and Nedda are married and lead the troupe of actors that include Tonio and Beppe. Nedda is having a secret affair with Silvio and the two make plans to run away together. Tonio, also in love with Nedda, confesses his love, but is mockingly turned down. Out of spite, he tells Canio that Nedda is having an affair. During a performance, Canio confronts his wife, and when she is unwilling to reveal her lover’s name, stabs her. Silvio rushes to the stage and is also stabbed by Canio. With his blood soaked knife, Canio screams at the audience, “the comedy is ended.”
The plot with a little more nuance!
Read the full synopsis from liveabout.com
Streaming
Full Productions
There are so many full productions of Pagliacci on the web, literally type in the title and full show into your youtube search and take your pick! Here are a couple productions we thought you’d enjoy.
Here is a full movie production by Zeffirelli staring Stratas and Domingo in 1982.
Here is a 1954 production staring Franco Corelli.
Other Listening
We mentioned the Opera’s most famous aria “Vesti la Giubba” but there are other amazing music moments in Pagliacci.
Nedda’s aria:”Qual fiamma avea nel guardo” sung by Maria Callas
Love duet between Nedda and Silvio:”Nedda! Silvio!” sung by Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Light comic relief moment aria:”Harlequin’s Serenade” sung by Carlos Natale.
Canio’s final aria: “No! Pagliaccio non son!” sung by Enrico Caruso.