I want you to attend Opera Columbus's production of Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci at the Ohio Theatre, Columbus, this Friday October 23rd at 8, and Sunday the 25th at 2. There's no reason for this verismo classic not to be a sellout. There are plenty of opera lovers in Central Ohio. I hear from them (you) all the time. Opera Columbus has had the same rough economic road that most other arts organizations are facing, through no fault of their own. Opera is a big and an expensive art form and if you want it at home, now's your chance to show up and enjoy. If Mario del Monaco were alive today, he'd be there. So would Robert Merrill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpWRlDQn1aw But these artists are in heaven and Opera Columbus is here and ready to go with a splendid production. Pagliacci was Leoncavallo's first great success. His career went on for twenty more years and he did well success with several of his opera, notably "the other" La boheme (a lovely opera, worth a production, very different from Puccini) and had his share of flops. "Roland von Berlin" was written at the behest of the Kaiser and only the Kaiser enjoyed it. He also wrote chamber songs, scores for the silent movies, and even a version of Oedipus Rex (Edipo Re). But it was the story of the clown betrayed by his young wife that inspired Leoncavallo and has kept the public's sympathy and imagination since 1893.
Christopher Purdy is Classical 101's early morning host, 7-10 a.m. weekdays. He is host and producer of Front Row Center – Classical 101’s weekly celebration of Opera and more – as well as Music in Mid-Ohio, Concerts at Ohio State, and the Columbus Symphony broadcast series. He is the regular pre-concert speaker for Columbus Symphony performances in the Ohio Theater.