Experience The Iconic Tragic Opera

Love, betrayal, revenge and clowns collide in Leoncavallo's timeless tragic opera masterpiece Pagliacci. Experience the tears of a clown tale during Michigan Opera's stunning production of the 1892 classic at the Detroit Opera House in the spring of 2020. Mexican Australian tenor Diego Torre, American bass-baritone Mark Delavan and American soprano Marina Costa-Jackson star as Canio, Tonio and Nedda respectively.

Pagliacci revolves around the turbulent relationships between members of a commedia del arte troupe which include seemingly happy married couples Canio and Nedda, and Tonio and Beppe. But the course of true love never did run smooth... Nedda is embroiled in a torrid affair with fellow actor Silvio, and they pair plan to elope. To make matters worse, Tonio is also in love with Nedda, but she spurns him. In an act of revenge, Tonio tells Canio about her affair, setting off a spiral of revenge and blood.