Opera in a prologue and two acts by Ruggero Leoncavallo Libretto by Ruggero Leoncavallo
Semi-staged opera Sung in Italian with English surtitles
First performance Teatro Dal Verme, Milan, Italy, 1892
Background
It’s easy from this distance to overlook the fact that Pagliacci was one of the earliest operas (along with Carmen and, of course, its fellow Cavalleria rusticana) to enable the feelings and emotions of their lowborn characters. But Pagliacci stands out especially for doing so while also making extremely sophisticated musical and dramatic points about theatrical illusion and reality.
Praised by Opera News for his "gleaming heroic tenor and a hint of physical danger," Samuel has covered roles such as Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly) with Tulsa Opera and Count Loris Ipanov (Fedora) with Teatro Grattacielo. An apprentice artist with the Merola Opera Program, his training includes The Aspen Opera Center and The Glimmerglass Festival.
Maria is a graduate of TU Dublin and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She performs regularly in the chorus of Irish National Opera, recently appearing in Gounod’s Faust and Puccini’s La bohème. In 2021, she won the Birr Lyons Vocal Bursary and Trench Award. In 2023, she appeared with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Kathleen recently graduated from the Royal Academy Opera. Roles include Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), Morgana (Alcina), Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Musetta (La Bohème). In 2022 Kathleen was an Alvarez Young Artist at Garsington Opera and in 2023 she won the prestigious Dramatic Cup at the Feis Ceoil competition.
Laura is a graduate of RCM and RIAM, where she was the Joseph Clover Scholar. She was also awarded the Brackaville Bursary by Irish Heritage. Laura has appeared at venues and festivals in Ireland and the UK, including Wigmore Hall and the Irish Embassy in London.
Giorgi studied at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire before joining the Tbilisi State Opera Theatre in 2016, where he continues to appear. From 2018 to 2020, Giorgi studied at the Teatro Alla Scala Academy, gaining experience alongside renowned artists such as Leo Nucci, and has successfully competed in several international competitions.
Rory is currently a member of Chamber Choir Ireland and a Lay Vicar Choral in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. A professional ensemble singer, his stage debut was at Wexford Festival Opera 2023 as Danilo in Camille Erlanger’s L’Aube rouge and he is returning to the festival this year as a member of the Wexford Factory. In 2024, he will perform his first principal role as Mr Owen in RIAM Opera’s production of Dominic Argento’s Postcard from Morocco.
A graduate of the Conservatory of Parma, Paolo’s roles have included Don Ramiro (La Cenerentola), Nemorino (L’elisir d’amore), Belfiore (Il viaggio a Reims) at the Rossini Opera Festival and Ernesto (Don Pasquale) at Teatro alla Scala. Future plans include Almaviva (Il Barbiere di Siviglia) in Genoa.
David is in his final year at the Royal Irish Academy of Music under Owen Gilhooly-Miles. As the first Irish scholar of the LiedAkademie with Heidelberger Frühling under Thomas Hampson, he performed with Susan Manoff at Pierre-Boulez Saal in Berlin. His roles include Dr. Falke (Die Fledermaus) at Berlin Opera Academy.
Born in Cagliari, Matteo Loi earned acclaim for roles like Leporello in 'Don Giovanni' and Dandini in 'La Cenerentola'. Notable engagements include performances at esteemed venues like the Theater an der Wien and Wiener Kammeroper in Vienna. Upcoming plans feature diverse roles, including Schaunard in 'La Bohème' at the Opéra de St Etienne in 2024 and Biscroma Strappaviscere in 'Le Convenienze ed Inconvenienze teatrali' at Wexford Festival 2024.
He graduated with top honors as a trombonist from the Luca Marenzio Conservatory in 2009 and furthered his studies under renowned mentors at the Paris CNR and Ian Bousfield. Serving as principal trombone for orchestras like the Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini, he co-founded the Quartetto di Brescia, performing over 400 concerts worldwide. Transitioning to conducting, he assisted maestros Donato Renzeti and Sesto Quatrini, and has led orchestras in significant productions, including an upcoming *Carmen* at the Lithuanian National Opera.
Stefania has assisted Rosetta Cucchi in most of her productions, but also directed herself some productions at WFO, including Le Songe d'un nuit d'été (2021), The 47th Saturday (2021) and La traviata (2013). She also directed L'elisir d'amore (Modena and Savona, 2023) and La rondine (Como, 2023). She will direct Mahagonny (Como).
Frances' first experience of theatre was as a volunteer at WFO straight from school. She went on to be trained at Wimbledon College of Art, studying costume. She worked in the London West End and The Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican. Most recently she has been working for BVOF and Wexford Art Centre.
Paolo began his career as a stage technician for concerts and events before discovering his passion for theatre and lighting design. In 2016, he started collaborating with renowned stylist Pierre Cardin as a lighting designer for musicals and by 2022, he was working at Teatro Comunale di Bologna.
August 2024
The Plot
Pagliacci is a dramatic tale of love and betrayal centred around a commedia dell’arte troupe. Canio and Nedda are married, and Nedda has a secret affair with Silvio. Fearing Canio’s jealous anger, Nedda hides the entanglement and even attempts to break it off with Silvio. Yet, their love is strong, and they plan to run away together.
Tonio, also in love with Nedda, admits his love for her, but she turns him away, humiliating him. In an act of revenge, Tonio tells Canio that Nedda is having an affair, as he suspected. During a performance, Canio confronts Nedda and stabs her. Silvio attempts to save Nedda, running up on stage but is also stabbed by Canio. The audience, not realising the reality in front of them, claps until Canio screams, “the comedy is ended.”