Ruggiero Leoncavallo (1858-1919)

1
Ruggiero Leoncavallo (1858-1919)

• publisher E. Sonzogno in 1888
• first prize - Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945) for
  opera Cavalleria rusticana
• Leoncavallo composed a similar short work, I
  Pagliacci (The Clowns)
• first performed, Milan, 1892, Toscannini
• became companion work to Cavalleria rusticana
• Leoncavallo made other attempts at opera, none of
  which were successful

2

• Opera in two acts with a prologue by Ruggiero
  Leoncavallo
• first performance Milan, May 21, 1892

3
Characters

• Canio, also Pagliaccio (tenor) - Placido
  Domingo
• owner of the troupe
• married to Nedda

4
Characters

• Nedda, also Colombina ,Canios wife (soprano) -
  Teresa Stratas
• married to Canio (but shouldnt be)
• has lover (Silvio) (baritone)

5
Characters

• Tonio, also Taddeo (baritone) - Juan Pons
• hunchback
• carries a concealed weapon
• handyman for the troupe

6
Characters

• Silvio, a villager (baritone) - Alberto Rinaldi
• Neddas lover (a villager)

7
Characters

• Beppe, also Harlequin (tenor) and
• the members of Canios troup
• the villagers

8
The Cast

• Canio (tenor)
• owner of the troupe
• plays role of Pagliaccio
• married to Nedda
• Nedda (soprano)
• married to Canio (but shouldnt be)
• plays role of Colombina
• has lover (Silvio) (baritone)

9
The Cast

• Tonio (baritone)
• hunchback
• carries a concealed weapon
• handyman for the troupe
• plays role of a clown, Taddeo
• Beppe (tenor)
• plays the role of Harlequin
• Silvio (baritone)
• Neddas lover (a villager)