Ruggero Leoncavallo was an Italian composer, best known for his opera Pagliacci, which premiered in 1892. Born on April 23, 1857, in Naples, he studied music at the Conservatorio di San Pietro a Majella. Leoncavallo's works often explore themes of love, jealousy, and the complexities of human emotions. In addition to Pagliacci, Leoncavallo composed several other operas, including I Medici and Zaza. His music is characterized by its dramatic intensity and lyrical melodies. Leoncavallo's contributions to the operatic world have made him a significant figure in the late Romantic period of classical music.