The opera "Pagliacci" by Leoncavallo premiered with great success at the Eptapyrgio Festival, organized by the Cultural Center of the Region of Central Macedonia, in collaboration with the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (TSSO) and the National Theatre of Northern Greece (NTNG).
Thessaloniki's residents have warmly embraced this production, selling out tickets for the first two performances and demonstrating their enthusiasm for quality opera in the city. It's worth noting that the performance interrupted by weather will be rescheduled for Saturday.
Director Athanasios Kolalas brings to life a masterpiece with a theme that remains sadly relevant, addressing gender-based violence and abuse—issues that continue to grow in prevalence. The opera also highlights the challenging lives of artists behind the scenes. The contrast between appearance and reality, the artist's mask that conceals true emotions, the deep melancholy of a clown hidden behind a joyful facade, and the tragic intertwining of life and art culminating in death, all form the backdrop for Leoncavallo's beautiful music in his greatest work.
The Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, along with the talented lyrical singers (Mikhael Spadaccini, Maria Kostraki, Armando Puklavec, Alexandros Stavropoulos, Giorgos Iatrou), is conducted by Giorgos Vranos. The production is further enriched by the participation of the Thessaloniki Mixed Choir and the Children's Choir of Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, creating an impressive ensemble of artists for this grand production.
"Put on the costume, the paint, and the powder,
the world pays to make them laugh...
...Laugh, Clown, for your lost love,
laugh at the pain that poisons your heart."