Oregon Public Broadcasting

When you hear this music, what comes to mind?

Mike Russell Sketch

That’s the famous tenor aria from the opera Pagliacci by Leoncavallo.  If it conjures up an image of a jealous, vindictive clown, there are some comics artists who could put that image to paper for you. 

Portland Opera welcomed around 20 artists to a dress rehearsal of Pagliacci earlier this week, and invited them to draw whatever came to mind, right there on the spot. 

Mike Russell was one of them, and he’s with me now along with Jim Fullan, Communications Director for Portland Opera.

Mike Russell's Pagliacci Booklet