Pagliacci, a staple of the Italian verismo tradition opens Buffalo Opera Unlimited’s 40th anniversary season. The opera is a larger-than-life story of love, jealously, and betrayal set within a Commedia dell'arte circus troupe, where painted smiles and bright costumes mask infidelity. The lead clown, Canio, is consumed by jealousy when he suspects his wife, Nedda, of having an affair. The line between on-stage and off-stage drama is blurred, ultimately leading to a tragic climax.

Based on an actual crime, Pagliacci features a leading tenor role thought to be one of the most challenging, given the wide range of moods the character displays, veering from manic humor to murderous rage. Buffalo native Jordan Weatherston Pitts returns home to perform the lead role of Tonio. Pitts is joined by Andrea Bickford as Nedda (Metropolitan Opera National Council District Auditions winner), Joshua Conyers as Tonio (Eastman School of Music faculty), and Andrew George as Beppe, making his BOU debut. Brent Weber (Fredonia School of Music) directs and Matt Marco (BOU Artistic Director) conducts the full orchestra and chorus.

Sung in Italian with projected English translation, the performance will run approximately 100 minutes with one intermission.