Opera Memphis is set to close down the Clark Opera Memphis Center with a series of performances of Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” at the end of October.

The famed verismo opera will be presented for four shows with a cast featuring Dane Suarez as Canio, Chanáe Curtis as Nedda (in her company debut), Alex DeSocio as Silvio, and Joshua Conyers as Tonio. The opera will be conducted by Cris Frisco and directed by Ned Canty.

Audiences attending the performances will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within three days of the performance. Masks will be required at all times during the performance. There will be no food or drink permitted in the performance venue.

Performances are scheduled for Oct. 22, 23, 29, and 30, 2021.

Additionally, the organization unveiled that it had received a grant for $500,000 from the Assisi Foundation and a matching grant from the Handorf Family to support the Handorf Company Artist Program; Opera Memphis intends to use that sum to enhance its operatic performances year-round and will now relocate to offices in the Edge District.