“All the world’s a stage...”
Only in the Theatre does the physical suffering of the Artist retreat before spiritual ecstasy, reviving, like a Phoenix bird from the ashes, spreading its wings over thousands of enthusiastic eyes...
In the Theatre, the Artist, living dozens, hundreds of roles, becomes a voluntary donor, giving his spiritual strength, which real life cannot fill...
Only the Theatre, killing monotonous everyday life with a terrible emptiness, can manifest a miracle and instantly become a dazzling altar, on which a jubilant Artist will enthuse his divine Talent and immortal Soul...
Finally, only in the Theatre wealth, fame, awards mean nothing, and only death reveals the real face of the Actor - lonely and defenseless...
“… and all the men and women merely players,” W. Shakespear
Yuri Alexandrov
Act I
The actors talk about the upcoming play. “Those tears and suffering that you will see now are genuine!” Exclaims Tonio. “After all, the actor loves and hates, like all people on earth, and under his buffoonish outfit a warm heart beats.”
The performance will begin at eleven o'clock in the evening, but for now, everyone is happy to welcome the owner of the troupe Canio and his actors.
Canio and Beppe decide to go to the tavern and invite Tonio with them, but he refuses. While Canio and Beppe are gone, Tonio makes his way to Nedda, the wife of the jealous owner of the troupe. Canio’s jealousy has reason – Nedda is not faithful to him.
Left alone, Nedda dreams of meeting her lover. Imperceptibly sneaking up, Tonio declares his love for her. On the confessions of the ugly clown, Nedda responds with a contemptuous laugh and chills his ardor with a blow of the whip. In a rage, Tonio leaves, threatening with brutal revenge.
Silvio comes to see Nedda. Their love meeting is interrupted by an angry exclamation of Canio, whom the offended Tonio hastened to call. However, Silvio manages to escape unrecognized.
Canio demands that Nedda give her lover’s name, but to no avail. The start time of the performance is approaching...
Act II
The audience is looking forward to the performance. Tonio encourages the audience to take their seats.
The plot of the play, played out by the actors, is close to life’s drama. Taddeo loves Columbine, who prefers the Harlequin.
Pagliacci interrupts the date. Jealousy flares up in Canio. Maddened, he stabs Nedda, and then Silvio, who has betrayed himself, with a knife.
The comedy is over...
Номинация «Лучшая мужская роль в оперном спектакле» (Виктор Алешков за роль Паяца), сезон 2009/2010