Classical 89 InterviewLeoncavallo’s Pagliacci

At first glance, this traveling comedy troupe in Sicily might seem to live as playfully as the performances they give—but it soon becomes clear they’re caught in a real-life tragedy. With secret affairs, tangled love triangles, and one of opera’s most iconic and heartbreakingly emotional arias, Pagliacci is drama at its most powerful.

At the heart of this intense story is the jealousy between troupe leader Canio and his wife, Nedda, revealing the fragile balance of love, trust, and control. As the line between performance and reality shatters, the comedy turns deadly.

In just 90 minutes, Pagliacci delivers a full evening of operatic magic. With sumptuous music, vividly drawn characters, and not a single wasted moment, it’s the perfect night at the opera.

Join Eric Glissmeyer of Classical 89 for an engaging conversation with stage director Tara Faircloth, along with Jonathan Burton (Canio) and Lydia Grindatto (Nedda).

Don’t miss Pagliacci—where every comedy hides a tragedy waiting to unfold.