George Gagnidze to close ’Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci’ bill at Metropolitan Opera

Georgia’s internationally renowned opera baritone George Gagnidze is set to close a program of celebrated shows Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci at the Metropolitan Opera on Thursday.

Gagnidze will appear as Tonio in the final show of Pagliacci, in what is promoted as "opera’s most popular double bill” by the prestigious New York venue.

The Georgian singer has also been cast as Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana, sharing the role with Serbian baritone Zeljko Lucic over the program’s dates.

Gagnidze will perform in the final show of the bill as Tonio in 'Pagliacci'. Photo: George Gagnidze artist Facebook page.

Conducted by Nicola Luisotti, the production of the double bill comes from Scottish director Sir David McVicar.

Set design for the shows is created by Rae Smith, while lighting designed by Paule Constable.

Working with artists of the roster, Moritz Junge has created costumes for the double bill, with the cast choreographed by Andrew George.

Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni and Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo premiered in Rome in 1890 and Milan in 1892, respectively.

The two classics are presented by the Metropolitan Opera as "tales of passion, jealousy, and death set in southern Italy”.

The venue first staged the two shows as a double bill in 1893.

With the start of 2018, Gagnidze has also been confirmed in the artist roster for the new season for the Paris Opera.

The baritone will perform in La Traviata at Opera Bastille in the fall, appearing alongside soprano Aleksandra Kurzak and tenor Jean Francois Borras.