|Startsida | Sångare | Andra artister och kreatörer | Libretton | Operahus | Jag och min operavärld | Sökord |
|Startsida | Sångare | Andra artister och kreatörer | Libretton | Operahus | Jag och min operavärld | Sökord |
Music:Ruggiero Leoncavallo Lyrics:Libretto by the composer.
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First performance: 21 maj 1892 at Teatro del Verme i Milano.
| Role | Voicetype |
|---|---|
| Canio,teatersällskapets direktör och Pierrot i komedin | tenor | Nedda,actress and wife to Canio | soprano | baritone |
| Beppo,an actor and Arlecchino in the comedy | tenor |
| Silvio,a farmer | baritone |
After a prologue in which Tonio informs the audience that what they are about to witness is a true story, the Calabrian villagers assembles to greet the strolling players. The players are directed by Canio, who invites the crowd to attend their performance. Canio´s wife Nedda is wooed by the deformed Tonio, one of the players, but she cruelly rejects his advances. Her lover, Silvio,arrives and they arrange to meet later. Their exchanges are overheard by Tonio, who alerts Canio to the assignation. He is furious and demands to know her lover´s identity but she denies she is having an affair; as Canio prepares for that evening´s performance, he unburdens himself of his grief.
The protagonists enact a drama that mirrors their own situation. Canio does his best to maintain his composure but when Columbine (Nedda) refuses to reveal her lover´s identity, he can no longer contain himself. Nedda mocks him and, insane with jealousy, he stabs her to death. When Silvio comes to her aid, Canio kills him as well. Turning to the audience he announces "La commedia è finite!" - the comedy is over.
