Throughout the film, Allen chooses numerous operatic selections including “Nessun Dorma” and selections of “Pagliacci.” The “Nessun Dorma” is interesting as it used for Giancarlo’s audition. This is an aria that ends in triumph and is generally an audience pleaser. But Allen subverts the idea and shows Giancarlo fail as he cracks on the “vincero.” It is literally a failure rather than a victory.
And the Pagliacci is also interesting as it deals with show business. Canio is attempting to live a happy life with Nedda as he goes through the obstacles of his career. Throughout the scene where Giancarlo is performing “Pagliacci” in the shower, there are three portions of the opera that are clearly intentional in the film. The first is the opening when Canio tells the crowds that they will be giving a show, “a ventitre ore,” the show being Giancarlo in the shower performing as Jerry’s experiment. Then there is “Vesti la giubba” which is a display of a man suffering but having to continue the show regardless of his personal life. And the end is the death scene when Canio says “la comedia e finita,” the comedy is over. These lines end the show but in the film it also means that Giancarlo is done with Jerry’s experiment and his farce.
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