<Dd> La commedia è finita!--"The comedy is finished!" </Dd> <P> In the original manuscript, Tonio sang the opera's final line, "La Commedia è finita!", paralleling the prologue, also sung by Tonio . The appropriation of this final line by Canio dates back to 1895 . John Wright has analysed the dramaturgy of the opera in the context of assignment of the final line, and concluded that the original assignment of the final line to Tonio is the most consistent and appropriate assignment . Wright says that Tonio shows more deliberate control in his manipulation of the other characters in order to obtain his revenge upon Nedda, after she has rejected him, and is more aware of the demarcation between life and art . By contrast, Canio is unaware of the behind - the - scenes manipulations and surrenders control of his perception of the difference between life and art as the opera proceeds . </P> <P> In the present day, the assignment of the final line to Canio has continued to be standard . Several exceptions, where Tonio delivers the final line, include: </P> <Ul> <Li> The December 1959 production at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, directed by Franco Zeffirelli </Li> <Li> A 1968 RAI - TV production directed by Herbert von Karajan </Li> <Li> The HMV recording conducted by Riccardo Muti (EMI CMS7 63650 - 2) </Li> <Li> The Philips recording conducted by Muti (Philips 0289 434 1312), in conjunction with live performances in Philadelphia in February 1992 </Li> <Li> The 1998 English - language recording on Chandos (CHAN 3003) </Li> <Li> The 2008 Seattle Opera production </Li> <Li> The 2010 Opera Grand Rapids production </Li> <Li> The 2014 San Diego Opera production </Li> </Ul>

This music that comes from the opera pagliacci is called a(n)