Next week, Ruggero Leoncavallo’s 1892 opera “Pagliacci” – or Payasos, in Spanish – is coming in all its melodramatic, murderous glory to Guadalajara’s grand dame theater, Teatro Degollado.
It is one of two operas being funded by Jalisco’s Secretary of Culture in 2018.
This version of Pagliacci is the work of two companies: Escenia Ensamble (covering vocals, stage design, etc.) and the Jalisco Philharmonic, which will provide musical accompaniment with the help of the Zapopan Municipal Choir. Dorian Wilson conducts the orchestra, while Timothy Ruff Welch handles choral duties.
Directing the show is Ragnar Conde, head of Escenia Ensamble, a veteran of productions spearheaded by the Secretary of Culture. Heading the cast are tenor Arsen Soghomonyan and soprano Irasema Terrazas as the ill-fated – this is opera, after all – husband and wife.
Opera fans can also look forward to a performance of Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” in November.
Tickets, 100-500 pesos, can be bought online at Ticketmaster or at the Degollado box office. Showtimes are 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, April 24, 26, 28.