SYNOPSIS

Prologue

Tonio, an actor who plays the part of Taddeo in the comedy, outlines the play in the prologue speaking, as it were, for the playwright: for once, the author would like to be a painter whose subject is real life even if he is using actors to do so. However, we should not dwell on the dancing actors, but rather submerge ourselves into the souls of the people.

Act 1

The story is set on the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, August 15.

Canio’s troupe of actors enters, warmly welcomed by the villagers. In addition to Nedda, the wife of the manager (in the play she is Colombina), Beppe (in the play Arlecchino) and Tonio are members of the theater group. Canio (Pagliaccio in the play) announces a performance for tonight. When Tonio tries to help Nedda out of the wagon, Canio pushes him alway jealously. The actors are invited to have a drink. Someone jokes that Tonio is only too happy to stay behind so that he can have a rendezvous with Nedda. Canio reacts violently: in plays he may take the part of a clumsy, betrayed husband, but in real life he would never accept infidelity.

Bells summon the villagers to evening church services.

Nedda is upset by Canio’s thinly disguised threats. She feels confined by this jealousy and would like to escape her invisible cage so that she could be as free as a bird.

Tonio eavesdropped on her. He wants to force his love on Nedda; he is, however, scornfully rejected.

Silvio, a young farmer, appears. Nedda has fallen in love with him. He entreats her to leave Canio and run away with him tonight. At first she hesitates, but then agrees without suspecting that Tonio has heard the two of them talking and hastily summoned Canio out of the nearby tavern. Just as Nedda is saying goodbye to her lover, Canio bursts on the scene raging mad with jealousy. Silvio manages to get away without being recognized. Now Canio’s rage is turned against Nedda.

He threatens her with his knife and demands that Nedda reveals her friend’s name. She remains silent. Beppe is able to get the knife away from Canio and, thus, the worst is avoided. What is more, it is almost time for the people to arrive for the performance. With difficulty Canio calms himself and gets ready for the play.

Intermezzo

Act 2

Shortly before the comedy begins: Tonio beats on a large drum; the audience, including Silvio, is waiting with anticipation. Nedda, who is collecting money, warns her lover about Canio’s jealousy.

The play about Columbina, Arlecchino, Taddeo and Pagliaccio begins. When Nedda in her role as Colombina uses the same words to say goodbye to the serenading Arlecchino as she spoke to Silvio, Canio gets the play and real life all mixed up. Beside himself with jealousy, he demands on the public stage to know the name of Nedda’s lover. Colombina/Nedda tries to resume the play, but Canio threatens all the more. Even the audience begins to suspect that something over and above the play is going on. When Nedda remains stubbornly silent, Pagliaccio/ Canio stabs her and kills her. Her cries for help, directed at Silvio, result in Canio turning to the youth who is hurrying to her side and he kills him as well. »La commedia è finita«. The play is over.