| “ | The comedy is finished! | „ |
| ~ Tonio in the original manuscript and the last words of the opera. |
Tonio is the main antagonist of the 1892 Italian opera Pagliacci.
Biography[]
During the overture of the opera, Tonio tells the audience that the actors have feelings too. Their performance is conducted with real love and tears.
Tonio is the hunchbacked fool of Canio's commedia dell'arte troupe, playing the role of Taddeo the fool. Throughout his performances, he is made fun of by both the audience and his fellow actor peers.
One day, while the troupe rest up for a big performance that evening, Tonio confesses his love for Nedda, Canio's wife. When she laughs at his offer, Tonio grows to rage and attacks her, claiming that he will have her no matter what. He attempts to force himself on her but she fends him off with a whip. Tonio angrily swears vengeance upon Nedda for rejecting him.
Later, Tonio secretly eavesdrops on her and villager Silvio, discovering that she was having an affair with him, claiming that Canio had too much of a jealous and possessive attitude. He gladfully reveals it to Canio, who chases after Silvio but fails to get a glance at his face. Nedda refuses to tell Canio her secret lover's name, with the other troupe members disarming him when he threatens to cut her with a knife. Tonio calms Canio and tells him to wait, as the secret admirer might show up at the play. Canio then sings the tragic "Vesti la giubba" to convince himself to play Pagliacci the clown despite the condition of his broken heart.
During the grand performance, Tonio plays his role of Taddeo up to the scene where he slips a sleeping pill in Pagliaccio (Canio)'s drink so Colombina (Nedda) can elope with her lover Arlecchino (Peppe). Canio suddenly breaks character and demands her to tell him who her lover is but she once again refuses to answer. All the while, the audience watches in awe believing it to be part of the play while Tonio prevents Peppe from interfering. Canio loses it and attacks Nedda with a knife and she cries out for Silvio as he kills her. Silvio attacks Canio, but Canio overwhelms Silvio and kills him too. Once Canio collapses to the ground grief-stricken from killing his wife, Tonio proclaims that the comedy is finished as the opera ends.
Trivia[]
- While Tonio is the one who says the finishing line in the original manuscript of the opera, more modern productions instead have Canio provide the line.
- Tonio performs in baritone.