Pagliacci
Leoncavallo's tragic opera
Pagliacci is an Italian opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo, first performed in 1892.
The title means "clowns" in Italian.
The opera tells of a traveling theater troupe whose leader discovers his wife's infidelity and murders her during a performance, blurring the line between stage drama and real tragedy.
Its famous aria "Vesti la giubba" depicts a performer who must make audiences laugh while his heart breaks.
References to Pagliacci typically invoke this theme of hiding grief behind a comic mask.
Wistful whiteface pantomime figure
- costumeClothing for portrayal
- whitefaceTheatrical pale makeup
- ruffPleated historical neckpiece
- conical hatCircular-based pointed headgear
Harlequin · pantomime · sad clown · tears · makeup · mask · buffoon · jester
Introductory literary section
- intermezzoBrief linking musical passage
- commediaItalian masked theatrical tradition
- ariaOperatic solo piece
- tenorEssential meaning or import
baritone · soprano · libretto · Calabria · jealousy · infidelity · two-act · 1892
One who amuses others
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- inner turmoilPsychological distress within oneself
- depressionProlonged low state
- dualityTwofold nature
Robin Williams · pretense · audience · applause · lonely
Captured audio or video
- emotional climaxPeak intensity of feeling
- broken heartEmotional pain from loss
- dramatic monologuePoem as character's speech
- weepingShedding tears audibly
Pierrot
Wistful whiteface pantomime figure
conical hat · Harlequin · pantomime · sad clown · tears · makeup · mask · buffoon · jester · tragicomedy
prologue
Introductory literary section
- intermezzoBrief linking musical passage
- commediaItalian masked theatrical tradition
- ariaOperatic solo piece
tenor · baritone · soprano · libretto · Calabria · jealousy · infidelity · two-act · 1892 · Milan
entertainer
One who amuses others
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- inner turmoilPsychological distress within oneself
- depressionProlonged low state
Robin Williams · duality · pretense · audience · applause · lonely
recording
Captured audio or video
- emotional climaxPeak intensity of feeling
- broken heartEmotional pain from loss
- dramatic monologuePoem as character's speech
Pagliaccicomedy
Work meant to amuse
comic opera · farce · operetta · musical comedy · light opera
Pagliacciromantic comedy
Humorous love story genre
happy ending · reconciliation · forgiveness · Fidelio · pastoral