PAGLIACCI

(Punchinello) Composer: RUGGIERO LEONCAVALLO Book by the composer First performance: Teatro dal Verme, Milan, May 21, 1892 2 acts. IN THE FAMOUS PROLOGUE Tonio tells the villagers that actors are but human. A small company of strolling players have arrived in Calabria, and set up their booth. Nedda, wife of Canio who loves her madly, is carrying on an affair with a villager, Silvio. She is also desired by Tonio, the clown, but him she will not tolerate. In revenge Tonio leads Canio to the place where Silvio and Nedda are trysting. Canio tries to kill Silvio but he escapes. Canio then turns on Nedda but she is protected by members of the troupe. That night the actors present a play from their stage, and its action is e entially the drama of the lives of Canio, Silvio, and Nedda. Desperate, Canio finally drops his part in the play and demands of Nedda her lover’s name. When she won’t tell him he stabs her. Silvio leaps to the stage to protect her, and is in turn killed. Canio turns to the audience and speaks: ‘‘The comedy is ended.”