When passions ignite among a troupe of traveling players, the offstage drama spills into the performance in this new production of Pagliacci. Ruggero Leoncavallo’s comedy/thriller, inspired by a true crime report, contains two complete and overlapping stories in one compact work: a farce performed by a troupe of “pagliacci,” or clowns, and an all-too-real drama of jealous love. Our new production of this beloved opera adds a third frame, placing the opera within our immersive Festival with a pre-opera picnic performance - Lyrics on the Lawn.

90 minutes before the show: Join us in the Preview Tent for a free talk. For half an hour, a member of our expert music staff will take you on an insightful exploration of Pagliacci.

60 minutes before the show: Step into the world of Pagliacci with “Lyrics on the Lawn,” a free immersive pre-show experience on our enchanting new outdoor stage. Picture this: Canio’s troupe of performers, like the romantic goofball Harlequin and the know-it-all Dottore, charm you with their silly antics while our Young Artists serenade you with their handpicked songs. Attend “Lyrics on the Lawn” to ensure you get the full Glimmerglass experience of Pagilacci. Let the grass be your seat and the sunshine your backdrop for these one-of-a-kind concerts.

synopsis

Name: Pagliacci
Start: 2024-07-27T13:00:00
End: 2024-08-18T13:00:00
Location: Alice Busch Opera Theater

An aging Tonio recalls his life on the stage, when he played the role of Taddeo in a traveling commedia dell’arte troupe. Drawing us into his memory, he cautions the audience that the story he is about to unfold is inspired by truth—a slice of life.

A troupe of players arrives at a village where they plan to offer an evening performance. In addition to Tonio, the troupe includes Canio (who plays Pierrot, or “Pagliaccio”), Nedda (Columbina), and Peppe (Arlecchino); traveling with them is Canio and Nedda’s young child. To fill the time before the performance, Canio and Peppe accept the villagers’ invitation to a drink at the local tavern. When Tonio stays behind, the villagers tease Canio, suggesting his wife, Nedda, is having an affair with Tonio. Canio is not amused. After the others leave, Tonio makes advances to Nedda, but she rejects him; he threatens her as he departs. Silvio, Nedda’s lover, pleads with Nedda to flee with him; she agrees. Tonio overhears their plot and informs Canio, who comes back to catch his wife’s lover, but Silvio escapes as Nedda calls, “I will always be yours.” Canio demands that Nedda reveal her lover’s name, threatening murder, but Nedda refuses.

Later that evening, the troupe begins the play. Left alone by her husband, Pagliaccio, Columbina anxiously awaits her lover, Arlecchino, but is interrupted by Taddeo, who declares his love. Columbina mocks Taddeo and welcomes Arlecchino. After kicking Taddeo out, Arlecchino and Columbina make plans to run away together; Arlecchino gives Columbina a sleeping potion for her husband, Pagliaccio. Taddeo returns, warning the lovers that Pagliaccio is on his way. As Arlecchino flees, Columbina calls, “I will always be yours.” When Canio, as Pagliaccio, re-enters, the boundaries between life and art begin to blur. Nedda/Columbina tries unsuccessfully to continue the farce as Canio/Pagliaccio becomes more and more enraged. Peppe, sensing danger, asks Tonio to stop the action, but Tonio refuses, still smarting from Nedda’s rejection. As the crowd watches, Canio brings the drama to its inevitable conclusion.