Although he wrote other operas, including a version of "La Boheme" which predates Puccini's, Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919) is primarily remembered for this work, which, though it did not originate the image of the sad-faced clown, certainly helped immortalise it.

The work, to which he also wrote the libretto, is based on a real-life murder case, where one of the Leoncavallo family servants was the victim, and his father was the magistrate.

In the opera, Canio is the chief of a group of strolling players, and suspects that his wife, Nedda, is having an affair with one of their company, Tonio. He is correct to suspect her infidelity, and Tonio most certainly desires her, but she is, in fact, embroiled with Silvio.

When his worst fears are proven correct, Canio sings the famous aria before going on stage. At first the audience think they are merely witnessing a highly convincing performance of the old Harlequin and Columbine story, but art turns horrifically to life as Canio in his grief and rage stabs both Silvio and Nedda.

There are several interesting facts about the opera - it was the first one (in 1907) to be recorded in its entirety, and Leoncavallo faced accusations of plagiarism from the French author Catulle Mendes, although he later dropped them.

It is often, though not always, performed as part of a double bill with Macagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana".

More Info: en.wikipedia.org