Before the opera begins, Tonio, who looks like a clown, steps before the curtain. He tells the audience that a clown is also a man, so a clown feels sorrow and pity just like a man.

In a small town somewhere in the world, a small theatrical company whose boss is Canio, arrives for a performance. Canio’s wife, Nedda, is the main actress of the company.  Tonio (who is physically and mentally deformed) is also in love with Nedda but, on revealing his desire to her, she shames him and drives him away with a whip. Secretly, Nedda is in love with another man from the town, Silvio, and fears discovery by the jealous Canio. Tonio, seeking retaliation for her rejection, informs Canio of this secret love and leads him to their secret rendezvous. Canio infuriated and desperate, asks his wife for the name of her lover, but, Nedda refuses to answer.
In the meantime, it’s time to perform. Find out what happens when the walls between offstage life and the onstage play begin to dissolve and collide with the unbearable truth!!!

Verismo Opera presents Leoncavallo’s one Act Tragedy –  I Pagliacci

Conductor: Michael Moran
Canio: Josh Bongers
Tonio: Jay Edmund Serpas
Nedda: Vismaya Lhi
Silvio: Julio Ferrari
Beppe: Peter Tedeschi
Villager: TBA