CREATIVE CUTS - Pagliacci - a black comedy

The Maleny Singers are very pleased to be joining forces once again with Kim Kirkman’s Inspiration Project Choir in June to perform Leoncavallo’s black comedy Pagliacci, a short opera which includes some very famous and well-known arias.

The opera explores themes of jealousy, betrayal and the blurring lines between art and reality.

The curtain opens on the town square of a small rural village. A troupe of travelling players is expected, creating huge excitement among the villagers, who are erecting a small platform when the players arrive.

Tonio rushes to help the glamorous young Nedda down from the cart and is slapped by her jealous husband, Canio, the leader of the troupe.

Nedda sings her Song to the Birds, envying their freedom and wishing to escape Canio. Tonio, who fancies Nedda, enters and pours out his feelings. She drives him off with a horsewhip, and he leaves cursing her.

Nedda and a local man, Silvio, are secretly in love. During their soaring duet, Tonio spies on them and, bent on revenge, alerts Canio. Silvio escapes. Canio demands his name from Nedda, who refuses. Distraught, Canio sings the famous aria, Vesti la giubba.

Act 2 opens with villagers jostling for seats and demanding the play begin. They settle in as Columbine and Harlequin act out their comic romance. Taddeo attempts to woo Columbine with a chicken and is booted offstage by Harlequin, to the crowd’s delight. He rushes back to warn of Pagliaccio’s approach.

Canio tries to stay in character but soon loses control, demanding the name of Nedda’s lover. The villagers don’t know whether to applaud or fear it’s real.

It is. Things do not end well.

The Maleny Singers are especially pleased to be working again with Vanessa West, who was stunning in her performance of Santuzza with them two years ago. They also welcome back a great favourite, Kim Kirkman, who will once again conduct.

They are also pleased to introduce another guest in the form of Shelden Mathieson, who sings the role of Silvio (the lover). Additionally, local talent comes to the fore thanks to Colin Dunn, who will sing the heroic part of Canio (the tragic clown), Ian Rix singing Tonio (the evil one!) and Rod Johnson, who is enchanting as Beppe the ‘pretend’ lover.

The production is directed by Margaret Taylor, and an orchestra of over 20 players will accompany as usual.

Maleny is lucky to have this opportunity of seeing something of this calibre without having to travel to Brisbane or Sydney. Mark your calendar and be sure to book your seats early – bookings are open now: Pagliacci at the Maleny Community Centre – June 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 3pm, tickets $50, concession $45. Book online now at trybooking.com/DAXTM