"Pagliaccio" is an Italian opera composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo in 1892. It is part of the verismo movement, which focuses on realistic portrayals of everyday life. The story revolves around a traveling theater troupe and explores themes of love, betrayal, and the blurred lines between performance and reality. The opera's most famous aria, "Vesti la giubba," is sung by the character Canio, a clown who must perform despite his personal heartbreak. "Pagliaccio" is often performed alongside Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, as both operas share similar themes and are popular in the operatic repertoire.