What is pagliacci?

Pagliacci is an opera in two acts by Ruggero Leoncavallo, first performed in Milan in 1892. It is a classic example of Italian verismo opera, which aimed to portray real-life characters and situations on stage. The story of Pagliacci follows a group of traveling performers in southern Italy, specifically a jealous and vengeful clown named Canio whose personal troubles eventually spill over into his performance and lead to a tragic ending. The opera includes several well-known arias and melodies, including the famously haunting "Vesti la giubba." Pagliacci is often performed alongside another classic verismo opera, Cavalleria rusticana, in what is known as a "double bill."