Leoncavallo, Ruggero

 (1858-1919)

Italian composer, who was an exponent of the verismo, or realistic, style in opera, a reaction against the Romantic operas of the day.

He was born in Naples, and educated at the Conservatory there. Particularly influenced by the opera Cavalleria Rusticana by the Italian composer  Pietro Mascagni, Leoncavallo wrote the widely acclaimed Pagliacci.

The opera had its premiere in Milan, Italy, in 1892 and has retained its popularity since that time. Although he wrote a number of other operas, only La Bohème (1897) and Zaza (1900) achieved a modest success.