Opera Santa Barbara (OSB) will open its 2024-25 season with Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” Nov. 8 and 10 at the Lobero Theatre.

Based on a true story, Pagliacci “Clowns” tells the tale of Canio, leader of a commedia dell’arte troupe, who murders his wife and her lover on stage during a performance.

The opera is emblematic of the style known as “verismo,” a late-nineteenth century Italian opera style in which composers sought to present on stage difficult themes from real life in an unflinchingly realistic manner.

“Pagliacci” has been a repertoire staple since its premiere in 1890. It is best known for the tenor aria “Vesti la giubba,” which has been featured in movies “The Untouchables;” pop music “It’s a hard life;” “The Simpsons” (Sideshow Bob); and even TV commercials (Rice Krispies and Coca Cola).

“Pagliacci is 90 minutes of the best music in the operatic canon”, said Kostis Protopapas, OSB artistic and general director. “It is an edge-of-your-seat thriller, a conflicted, emotional drama, and a nostalgic snapshot of small-town life in a bygone era.”

OSB’s production sets the action in Italy in the years immediately after World War II, and is inspired by Italian neorealist cinema.

“The atmosphere of neorealism captures the economic and moral struggles of working-class people in the mid-twentieth century, so there is a natural connection with the story of ‘Pagliacci,’” said Octavio Cardenas, who will direct the production.

“Federico Fellini’s ‘La strada’ served as the inspiration for our concept,” he said.

The action is set in the interior of a sound stage where the audience watches a film of the opera’s story being made.

The set and projections are being designed by Daniel Chapman, who recently collaborated with Cardenas on OSB’s production of “Zorro.”

The set pieces will be constructed by Western Colorado University’s Western Theatre Company Stagecraft class, where Chapman is the instructor.

“This collaboration with Opera Santa Barbara gives the students the learning opportunity of working on a larger-scale set than what they are used to”, said Chapman. “It also challenges the students to work to professional standards, which is critical for their learning.”

The cast includes tenor Robert Stahley, who most recently appeared with the company as Siegmund in “The Valkyrie” (2023); soprano Alaysha Fox, who made her OSB debut as Giorgetta in “Il tabarro” (2021); baritones Ben Lowe and Matthew Peterson; and tenor Ben Brecher.

Protopapas conducts the OSB Orchestra and Chorus, and the young singers of the Ojai Pixies.

Limited seats are still available for the two performances, priced $79-$204. The company advises patrons to only purchase tickets directly through the Lobero Theatre Box Office.