Empire State Lyric Theater

May 13, 2011
Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial
Performing with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the ESLT Children's Choir

6:30pm – Pre-performance Champagne and Hors d'oeuvres Reception
featuring a performance by PUSH Physical Theatre

8:00pm – I Pagliacci

Champagne and Hors d'oeuvres Reception tickets $20

I Pagliacci tickets $30 (through Ticketmaster.com)

Tickets are also available at the Blue Cross Arena Box Office.

Under the direction of Raffaele Ponti, Artistic Director

Featuring:
Italian baritone Ettore Nova
Cuban tenor Jose del Valle
soprano Susan Delly Cotroneo
tenor Edoardo Villa
baritone Jimi James
Eric Townell, chorus master
with music by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
and an appearance by ESLT's Children's Choir.

This performance of I Pagliacci is funded in part by a grant from the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York State Legislature.

Synopsis
ESLT brings the beloved tragicomedy "I Pagliacci" to the stage at Blue Cross Arena with a cast of international stars and hometown professionals. The performance features Italian baritone Ettore Nova, Cuban tenor Jose del Valle, soprano Susan Delly Cotroneo, tenor Edoardo Villa and baritone Jimi James, with music by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and an appearance by ESLT's Children's Choir.

I Pagliacci recounts the tragedy of a jealous husband in a commedia dell'arte troupe led by Canio, who plays the title role in the troupe's production of "The Troubles of Pagliacci." Canio's wife, Nedda, is in love with fellow actor Silvio, although she portrays Colombina, who is in love with Arleccino (portrayed by actor Beppo). Both Tonio, "the fool," and the character he plays, Taddeo, are in love wih Nedda/Columbina. This convoluted play within a play keeps both audiences on the edge of their collective seats until its tragic ending.

I Pagliacci premiered in 1892, was an instant success and remains popular today. It was the first entire opera to be recorded (1907), and contains one of opera's most famous and popular arias, "Recitar!...Vesti la giubba" (literally, "To perform!...Put on the costume," but more often known in English as "On with the motley"). One of Enrico Caruso's recordings of "Vesti la giubba" was the first record to sell one million copies.

I Pagliacci

Artist Bios