Pagliacci

The story

Based on Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci. The film recounts the tragedy of Canio, the lead clown (or pagliaccio in Italian) in a commedia dell'arte troupe, his wife Nedda, and her lover, Silvio. When Nedda spurns the advances of Tonio, another player in the troupe, he tells Canio about Nedda's betrayal. In a jealous rage Canio murders both Nedda and Silvio. The only actor in the cast who also sang his role was the celebrated Italian baritone, Tito Gobbi, but the film is largely very faithful to its source material, presenting the opera nearly complete.

Cast & crew

Tito GobbiTonio/Silvio

Gina LollobrigidaNedda

Onelia FineschiNedda (singing voice)

Afro PoliCanio, master of the troupe

Galliano MasiniCanio (singing voice)

Filippo Morucci

Filippo MorucciBeppe, troupe harlequin

Gino SinimberghiBeppe (singing voice)