TIJUANA.- The curtain lifts and out comes Tonio, dressed as his comical persona Taddeo, a foolish humpbacked clow. Tonio is a character within a character of the play, and the leading role of the play, is the head of the clown troupe, Canio. Tonio appears in the prologue with a somber aspect bearing the bad news that the story we are about to see actually happened, and that actors have feelings too.

This is how I Pagliacci begins, an opera written by italian composer Ruggero Leoncavallo, who combined music and studies of literature to develop a two-act opera. The opera is based on something that he experienced during his childhood, when his father, a judge, sentenced a travelling comedian who, blinded by love, acted on an impulse and attacked and murdered his lover.

I Pagliacci, "The Clowns",is one of the most representative operas of the verista (realist) school of theatre, and is an enduring favorite. It is a must see event that will be played at the Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT) under the direction of Rodrigo Macias and Jose Medina this weekend on Friday 22, and Sunday 24, at 8 pm and 5 pm respectively. The cost of the show is $800 pesos (approx. $60 dollars), with student, teacher and CECUT club member discounted prices available.

*Map and directions to Cecut here

Tenor Fernando de la Mora will interpret Canio and his sub-character Pagliaccio, along with soprano Paola Antonucci as his character's wife, Nedda, bringing to life the tragic irony of a clown with a broken heart that must put on the show and make others happy in spite of his sadness.

The opera lineup at CECUT is being offered to the public as a high quality option for residents of San Diego that enjoy these types of events. This is especially true in light of recent reports that San Diego may be left without its own opera group as a result of a barely profitable business model.

The last attempts by the San Diego Opera to collect funds to continue will only guarantee three more productions (La Boheme, Don Giovanni, and Nixon in China). So, it is important to highlight comparative productions just south of the border. We invite our San Diegan readers and our Tijuana readers alike to take part in this city's activities.

VIDEO: I Pagliacci in CECUT

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Elizabeth.Rosales@sandiegored.com

borderzonie@gmail.com