"I Pagliacci” or “The Clowns,” set in a traveling circus, is one of the most popular of opera tragedies, full of irresistible ...

Tragedy in opera can deliver an emotional sucker punch ... their own lives fall apart — as in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci (Clowns) — the tragedy is that much more devastating.

It takes a special kind of person to write an opera about clowns murdering each other and call it realism. Pagliacci, the work that would go on to define Leoncavallo was premiered in 1892.

Sarasota Opera opens a new season with the double bill of one acts ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ and ‘Pagliacci’ to launch its 66th season.

Sarasota Opera will open its 66th season on Saturday ... And in true theatrical tradition Pagliacci's clown tries to go on with the show, but his real-life humiliation and despair lead to ...