Pagliacci

Cast

The Israeli Opera Chorus

Chorus Master: Assaf Benraf

The Opera Orchestra - The Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion

Libretto: Ruggiero Leoncavallo

Sung in Italian

English and Hebrew Surtitles
Translation: Israel Ouval

An original production

We thank Sano - Diti and Alex Landesberg family for supporting the production of “Pagliacci”

Synopsis

Prologue

Tonio announces that the author wanted to revive the traditional customs of the commedia dell’arte, but the difference is that they are trying to show ‘a slice of life’, and the people you see onstage are flesh and blood.

Act I

Crowds welcome a troupe of actors arriving to town. Canio, the head of the troupe, invites everyone to come to their show at 11 that evening. Canio and Beppe head to the tavern for a drink, leaving Tonio alone with Nedda, Canio’s wife. She muses on the fierceness of his jealousy and dreams of her freedom. Not until her song is finished does she notice Tonio watching her. Clumsily he tries to declare his love for her, but she mocks him. When he tries to kiss her, she hits him. Screaming revenge, Tonio leaves her as Silvio, Nedda’s lover, appears. As they talk lovingly, Tonio sneaks in and overhears Nedda and Silvio’s plan to elope that night after the show. Tonio goes to fetch Canio.

When Canio returns, he threatens Nedda to reveal to him her lover’s name, but she refuses and Beppe has to restrain Canio, reminding him they have a show to perform. Left alone, Canio muses bitterly about the hard life of the clown who has to hide his pain behind his makeup.

Act II

The audience arrives, and the play begins. Harlequin (Beppe) serenades his beloved Colombina (Nedda), who knows that her husband Pagliaccio (Canio) will not return home until late. Taddeo (Tonio) appears and declares his love for her. Harlequin arrives, throws Taddeo out and the lovers sit down to eat. Taddeo returns to warn them that Pagliaccio is coming. Pagliaccio (Canio) comes in right on time to hear Colombina say to Harlequin the same words he heard Nedda tell her lover earlier that afternoon. Canio is unable to remain in character, and insists of finding out the name of Nedda’s lover. She improvises, trying to keep the play going, but Canio cries out he is not Pagliaccio any more. When she refuses once again to reveal her lover’s name, the jealously–mad Canio stabs her. As Silvio rushes from the audience, Canio stabs him as well. La commedia e finita.

Back Stage Secrets

Back Stage Secrets at the Opera
Many Opportunities to Widen your Opera Experience

Do you want to know more about the opera you are about to attend? Do you want to find out some back stage secrets? Do you want to meet the artists after the performance? The Israeli Opera enables you to widen your opera experience with a variety of pre performance and post-performance events. 

Towards Opening
On Saturday morning before the premiere, the creators of the production and several of the soloists gather to discuss the opera, the production, their own career and today’s opera world. This is a unique opportunity to learn as much as possible about the production and meet the director, conductor, designers and some of the participating soloists. Musical excerpts from the opera illustrate the discussion. Towards Opening takes place before some of each season’s productions.

Pre Performance Lecture
One hour before each opera performance there is a 30-minute introductory lecture in the auditorium (in Hebrew). Opera staffers present the opera and the production and enable the audience to get some extra information a short time before attending the performances. Admission is free for ticket holders. 

Pre Performance Back Stage Tours
What happens backstage before the audience even thinks of getting dressed for the performance? What do the singers do? The conductor? The Technical teams? How does everyone prepare for the performance? A unique opportunity to taste a little bit of the back stage excitement before the curtain ascends/ A concerted half hour tour in places that are not usually open to the general public. Tours begin 90 minute before the performance begins and last 30 minutes. Tickets are 25NIS and can be booked in advance (tickets for each tour are limited). Tours take place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website. Tours from groups both in Hebrew and in English can be booked in advance (sarah@israelopera.org.il )

Opera Talkback
The curtain has just descended on the final scene of the opera. The hour is late. Nut the experience was riveting. This is the time to meet several of the performers. Come to listen and to speak. Ask questions. Meet the artists. A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the artists who have just excited you on the stage. Opera Talkbacks takes place on the second level of the Opera House foyer and last around 30 minutes. Admission free. Opera Talkback takes place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website.