Pagliacci
Synopsis
The story is set in southern Italy and 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. Although Leoncavallo's opera was originally set in the late 1860's, Zeffirelli's production is updated to the period between World War I and World War II.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
Cannes Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
April 13, 2005
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Franco Zeffirelli
- Screenplay & Story
- Ruggero Leoncavallo
- Original Score
- Ruggiero Leoncavallo
- Original Title
- Pagliacci
- Country of Origin
- Italy
- Spoken Languages
- Italian
- Runtime
- 1h 12m
- Production Studios
- Deutsche Grammophon, Unitel
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Franco Zeffirelli
Ruggero Leoncavallo
Ruggiero Leoncavallo
Department Leadership Roster
Ruggero Leoncavallo
Writer
Franco Zeffirelli
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Pagliacci.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Pagliacci.
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Emmy Award Nominated Titles - IMDb
Emmy Awards: Winners
Emmy Award Winning Titles - IMDb
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pagliacci
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Pagliacci about?
The story is set in southern Italy and 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. Although Leoncavallo's opera was originally set in the late 1860's, Zeffirelli's production is updated to the period between World War I and World War II.
Who directed Pagliacci?
Pagliacci was directed by Franco Zeffirelli.
Who stars in Pagliacci?
The principal cast of Pagliacci includes Teresa Stratas, Plácido Domingo, Juan Pons, Florindo Andreolli, Alberto Rinaldi.
When was Pagliacci released and how long is it?
Pagliacci was released in 1987 with a total runtime of 1h 12m.
Who composed the musical score for Pagliacci?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Pagliacci was composed by Ruggiero Leoncavallo.