Pulcinella, a work for small orchestral ensemble, was one of Igor Stravinsky's first neoclassical compositions, re-using material of some chamber music compositions thought at the time to be by Pergolesi. It has since been discovered that much of the material Stravinsky used was in fact composed by Dominico Gallo, a contemporary of Pergolesi's. The title role refers to the pulcinella clown character from the commedia dell'arte, which was enjoying a considerable vogue.

Pulcinella, takes Stravinsky's new concern with the "classical style" to a literal level. Stravinsky borrows specific themes and music from the earlier composer and rewrites them, interjecting modern rhythms, cadences and harmonies, all the while retaining the lilt and feel of the original.

It was created as a ballet by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in 1920, with costumes and sets by Picasso.