Franco Zeffirelli: I Pagliacci

Дзеффирелли: Паяцы

"The noted director's opulent and grandly theatrical realism is marvelous to behold. The acting is superb. Mr. Domingo and Miss Stratas are extraordinarily convincing. This is a splendidly imaginative 'Pagliacci', one that sets a memorable standard for opera houses the world over. At his best, Mr. Zeffirelli is formidable." (The New York Times)

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Actors

Canio (Paggliaccio)

Placido Domingo

Nedda (Colombina)

Teresa Stratas

Tonio (Taddeo)

Juan Pons

Crew

Director

Franco Zeffirelli

Conductor

Georges Prêtre

Costume designer

Anna Anni

Set designer

Gianni Quaranta

About

Calabria, 19th century. Canio, the leader of a travelling troupe of players, warns that if he were to find his wife Nedda unfaithful, she would pay dearly for it. After Nedda repulses Tonio's advances, Tonio overhears Nedda and her lover Silvio planning to run away together...

"Pagliacci" is often celebrated as one of the finest examples of verismo, or realist opera. It is even based on a true story: Leoncavallo's father, a judge, once presided over the trial of an actor who, in a fit of jealousy, murdered his wife immediately following a performance. "Pagliacci" is frequently performed along with Mascagni's one-acter "Cavalleria Rusticana". Both works are strongly linked with the name of Franco Zeffirelli, the great stage and film director who has been infusing the operatic repertoire with grace, elegance and poignancy. Both his Emmy Award-winning production of "Pagliacci" and his "Cavalleria" feature international star tenor Placido Domingo.

Summary

PROLOGUE

Tonio the clown announces that what the audience is about to see is a true story and that actors have the same joys and sorrows as other people.

ACT I
The same village, 1849. A small theatrical company has just arrived and Canio, the head of the troupe, advertises the night’s performance to the gathered crowd. One of the villagers suggests that Tonio is secretly courting Canio’s young wife, Nedda. Canio warns them all that he will not tolerate any flirting offstage—life and theater are not the same. As the crowd disperses, Nedda is left alone, disturbed by her husband’s jealousy. She looks up to the sky, envying the birds their freedom. Tonio appears and tries to force himself on Nedda, but she beats him back, and he retreats, swearing revenge. In fact, Nedda does have a lover—Silvio, a young peasant, who suddenly appears. The two reaffirm their love, and Silvio persuades Nedda to run away with him that night. Tonio, who has returned and overheard the end of their conversation, alerts Canio, but Silvio manages to slip away unrecognized. Canio violently threatens Nedda, but she refuses to reveal her lover’s name. Beppe, another member of the troupe, restrains Canio, and Tonio advises him to wait until the evening’s performance to catch the culprit. Alone, Canio gives in to his despair—he must play the clown even though his heart is breaking.

ACT II

That evening, the villagers assemble to watch the performance, Silvio among them. Beppe plays Harlequin, who serenades Columbine, played by Nedda. He dismisses her buffoonish servant Taddeo, played by Tonio, and over dinner the two sweethearts plot to poison Columbine’s husband Pagliaccio, played by Canio. When Pagliaccio unexpectedly appears, Harlequin slips away. Taddeo maliciously assures Pagliaccio of his wife’s innocence, which ignites Canio’s jealousy. Forgetting his role and the play, he demands that Nedda tell him the name of her lover. She tries to continue with the performance, the audience enthralled by its realism, until Canio snaps. In a fit of rage he stabs Nedda and then Silvio, who rushes to her aid. Turning to the horrified crowd, Tonio announces that the comedy is over.