R. Leoncavallo's opera "Pagliacci"

Behind the clown's makeup hides a man who must entertain others even when his own world is falling apart. Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera "Pagliacci" tells a story of love, jealousy, and the slippery line between performance and reality.

In a late 19th-century Italian village, a troupe of traveling performers arrives. The residents await the evening performance, and a festive mood hangs in the air. However, the troupe's performer Nedda secretly dreams of a different life, while her husband Canio is increasingly consumed by jealousy. As the artists prepare for the show, their interpersonal relationships become increasingly tense. As the evening begins, laughter and playful theatrical characters can no longer hide true feelings: in front of the audience, the line between the stage and life begins to blur.

The independent opera company "Kita Opera" presents a stage production of this opera with a chamber orchestra, directed by Roxana Nite (Romania). Musical director and conductor – Andrew Charity (United Kingdom). The choir is prepared by Indra Mažuikaitė-Kubiliūnienė.

This story invites us to look at the people behind the roles they play – at the contrast between the actor entertaining the crowd, his mask, and his unbearable inner experiences.

The opera is performed in Italian with Lithuanian surtitles. Duration – 1 hour 45 minutes, including an intermission.