【Pagliacci】Synopsis, Character Map

Contents

Pagliacci: Character Map

Pagliacci: Roles

Canio	head of the troupe	tenor
Nedda	Canio’s wife	soprano
Tonio	the fool	baritone

Beppe	actor	tenor
Silvio	Nedda’s lover	baritone

Native title: I Pagliacci
Composers: Ruggero Leoncavallo
Librettist: Ruggero Leoncavallo
Language: Italian
Premiere: May 21, 1892, Teatro Dal Verme, Milan
Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes (Act 1: 45 minutes, Act 2: 30 minutes)

Pagliacci: Summary

Events before the main story

Nedda, an orphan, is picked up and raised by Canio, head of the troupe. Later, Nedda and Canio marry. However, Nedda secretly wishes to leave and already has a young lover.

Pagliacci

Tonio learns that Nedda has a young lover. Her husband, Canio, also finds out about her affair. Amid the confusion, everyone decides to put on a play. The play is also about infidelity, just like in real life.

Canio

Give me the man’s name! Name him!

Nedda

My love is strong. Even if I die, I will not speak his name!

Unable to distinguish between reality and play, Canio stabs Nedda and her lover to death.

Pagliacci: Prologue

Before the curtain rises, Tonio appears.

Tonio

Ladies and gentlemen, please give me a moment of your time.

What is about to take place is an old masked play. The author says that he tried to depict a scene from life. I want you to know that underneath the mask, there is blood and tears.

The show is about to begin.

Si può?… Si può?… Signore! Signori! … Un nido di memorie

Pagliacci: Act1, Synopsis

On the outskirts of the village of Montalto in southern Italy

The villagers greeted the traveling troupe with cheers. The troupe’s leader, Canio, greets them.

Canio

Tonight, I will be performing a big play. Please come and see it!

Un grande spettacolo a ventitré ore

The villagers
Of course, I’ll be there. I’m looking forward to it!

Canio gets out of the carriage, followed by his wife, Nedda, who is about to get out. Tonio, who has a crush on Nedda, offers his hand to her. Canio sees this and slaps Tonio.

Canio

Get away from my wife!

Tonio

Remember that!

Tonio swears and walks into the playhouse.

The villagers
Canio, why don’t you come and have a drink with us?

Canio

Gladly.

The villagers
Hey, Tonio. Do you want to go for a drink, too?

Tonio replied from inside the playhouse.

Tonio

No, I have work to do.

The villagers
Maybe Tonio is going to stay here and secretly seduce Nedda.

Canio

Please don’t joke about it. On stage, I can act out anything. But in real life, when I see my wife Nedda with another man, I can’t be a clown.

Un tal gioco, credetemi

Nedda

…It’s annoying.

The villagers
You don’t have to be so serious.

Canio

Does it look that way? I’m sorry. I love my wife, you know.

The villagers and Canio go for a drink.

Nedda was alone with her thoughts.

Nedda

Those eyes of Canio’s! How horrible. If that man saw me cheating on him, how violent would he be?

No, let’s not. Beautiful August sunshine! In the sky, little birds are flying around. Why can’t I be free when the birds are free?

Qual fiamma avea nel guardo

Tonio arrives, having heard Nedda’s singing.

Tonio

Your songs are so enchanting.

Nedda

Hahaha, clichéd pick-up line. Now get your ass to a bar.

Tonio

I know who I am. I’m a man who causes ridicule and fear. And yet, I have hopes and dreams, too. There’s something I want to say to you.

So ben che difforme

Nedda

Ahahaha, please don’t do that. Why don’t you say it tonight? In the play.

Tonio

Don’t laugh at me. I’m serious. I want you to be mine.

Tonio jumps at her, forcing her to kiss him, and Nedda fights him off with her whip.

Tonio

Nedda! I’m gonna get even with you for this!

Nedda

Stay away from me. I know what you are! Your mind and body are hideous!

Tonio leaves. At the same time, Nedda’s secret lover, a young villager named Silvio, sneaks in.

Nedda

Silvio, I can’t believe you’re here at this hour! Are you going to put your life in danger? You’re really in danger!

Silvio! a quest’ora

Silvio
I saw Canio go to the bar. It’s all right.

The traveling troupe is scheduled to leave tomorrow. I can’t stay with you like this. If your affection is not fickle, we can run away together tonight.

Nedda

I love you. There’s nothing more I can do. But it might be better if I leave here with you.

The two of them are discussing what to do. Tonio sneaks a look at them and then leaves.

Tonio

I found you cheating on me!

The two decide to elope. Tonio brings Canio with him and watches them from hiding. Neda said to Silvio as he left her.

Nedda

From tonight on, I’m all yours.

Canio

Ah!

Canio, who was hiding and watching, shouts out. Silvio runs away and Nedda tries to stop Canio. Canio took off running after Silvio. Tonio sneers at the sight of Canio.

Nedda

Tonio, I knew you’d do something.

Tonio

I’ll do better this time and give Canio a bad time.

Nedda

You’re a horrible jerk.

Canio comes back angry because he can’t catch Silvio.

Canio

That man knows the back roads of this place very well. But he’s not going to get away with it. Give me his name!

Nedda

I’m not going to say anything.

Beppe, an actor from the troupe, appears.

Beppe
It’s almost time for the villagers to arrive. Let’s put on a play for now.

Canio

I don’t give a shit about that! Give me his name!

Tonio

Please calm down. If you put on an act, the cheating man might come back. I’ll be watching Nedda.

Beppe
Please put on your costumes.

Canio agonized as he put on his theatrical costume.

Canio

Put on a costume, put on white powder. Turn your tears into mirth, and laugh. Laugh, clown.

Vesti la giubba

Pagliacci: Act2, Synopsis

The villagers come to see the play.

The curtain rises on the play. A small, cozy house set.

Canio	Pagliaccio	Husband
Nedda	Colombina	Wife
Tonio	Taddeo	Side love for wife, a servant
Beppe	Arlecchino	Wife’s lover

Nedda is alone on the set of the room.

Nedda

My husband won’t be home for a while.

A singing voice from outside the room.

Beppe
My dear Colombina. I’ll be right here. Open the window, please.

Nedda

Let’s give the signal to Arecchino.

Taddeo comes to the house and tries to seduce Columbina.

Tonio

What a beauty. I want to confess to her.

Nedda

Did you buy the chicken?

Tonio

Of course. Here you go. (Oh, I have to confess!)

Through the window, his wife’s lover, Arecchino, enters the room.

Beppe
You, go outside.

Tonio

Did you two love each other? If that’s the case, I’ll go outside and keep an eye on Pagliaccio to see if he comes back.

Taddeo goes outside. Colombina and Arecchino start eating.

Nedda

My love, isn’t this a lovely dinner?

Beppe
My love, I have brought you a drink.

Taddeo came back, fussed, and hid.

Tonio

Pagliaccio’s back. He seems to know everything. I’m going to hide.

Alecchino runs away from the window. Colombina tells him.

Nedda

From tonight on, I’m all yours.

The play becomes the same as reality.

Canio, who was waiting for his turn, was upset when he heard the same line Nedda had said earlier in the evening.

Canio

You were with a man!

Nedda

What are you angry about? You’re drunk.

Canio

How come there’s dinner for two?

Nedda

Taddeo was here. He’s afraid of you and he’s hiding.

Tonio comes out of hiding.

Tonio

You have to trust her. She’s a pure person.

Canio

I’m not acting anymore. Give me a man’s name!

Nedda

Who are you talking about? Pagliaccio, what’s wrong with you?

Canio

No, I’m not Pagliaccio anymore.

I picked you up as an orphan, I saved you from starving to death, I gave you a name. You are a woman unworthy of me. You filthy bitch.

No! Pagliaccio non son

Nedda

If you say I’m not worthy of you, then get rid of me immediately.

Canio

I’m not going to let you do what you want. If I let you go, you’ll go to your boyfriend. I won’t let you do that. Give me the name of your boyfriend!

As Silvio watches the play, he realizes that they are in a dangerous situation.

Silvio
It’s horrible. I can’t watch it. There’s something wrong with this.

The audience applauds Canio’s earnest performance. Halfway through the performance, the audience notices a disturbing atmosphere on the stage. Beppe tries to contain the scene, but Tonio holds him back.

Beppe
I have to go stop him.

Tonio

Shut up. Don’t go.

Canio

Give me the man’s name! Name him!

Nedda

My love is strong. Even if I die, I will not speak his name!

Canio grabbed a knife from the table and stabbed Nedda repeatedly.

Nedda

Help me! Silvio!

Nedda’s death. Silvio rushes from the audience.

Canio

It’s you. I’m glad you’re here.

Silvio was also killed by Canio.

Canio

The comedy is finished!

La commedia è finita!

Canio drops the knife, stunned.