Ruggero Leoncavallo - Pagliacci - Vesti La Giubba - Pavarotti

Ruggero Leoncavallo was an Italian opera composer. His two-act work Pagliacci remains one of the most popular works in the repertory, appearing as number 20 on the Operabase list of the most-performed operas worldwide.

"Vesti la giubba" (Put on the costume) is a famous tenor aria from Ruggero Leoncavallo's 1892 opera Pagliacci. "Vesti la giubba" is the conclusion of the first act, when Canio discovers his wife's infidelity, but must nevertheless prepare for his performance as Pagliaccio the clown because "the show must go on".

The aria is often regarded as one of the most moving in the operatic repertoire of the time. The pain of Canio is portrayed in the aria and exemplifies the entire notion of the "tragic clown": smiling on the outside but crying on the inside. This is still displayed today, as the clown motif often features the painted-on tear running down the cheek of the performer.

English translation (Internet)

Act! While in delirium,
I no longer know what I say,
or what I do!
And yet it's necessary... make an effort!
Bah! Are you not a man?
You are a clown!

Put on your costume,
powder your face.
the people pay to be here, and they want to laugh.
And if Harlequin shall steal your Columbina,
laugh, clown, so the crowd will cheer!
Turn your distress and tears into jest,
your pain and sobbing into a funny face -- Ah!

Laugh, clown,
at your broken love!
Laugh at the grief that poisons your heart!

[Jokester]

A man goes into the doctors. He says he is depressed. Says that life is not worth living. The doctor says that "the treatment is simple. The great clown Pagliacci is in town. Go see him, that should make you laugh." The man suddenly bursts into tears. "But Doctor...Im Pagliacci!"

[reverendsteveii]

1:50 gives me chills. The right music can last forever, cross boundaries of language, culture and time, and reach you across an infinite distance.

[simonehlousek]

I cry everytime seeing this, just the emotions behind it, just this powerful voice on this gental man. God Rest his soul

[jinpachi]

Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.

[Dezertroze]

And stupid critics said he could not act. He left me crying my eyes out. So full of emotion. Amazing Pavarotti. Rest in peace.

[rekilias]

Probably on of the best singer of all time... Vesti la giubba played like that .. my gosh, .. I have no word

[masterjedi]

My goodness he is such an incredible singer. R I P Pavarotti. We miss you.

BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!!! BRAVO!!!! Grande Maestro, Bellizimo....

[MEANLILSHT]

Have never listened to this without crying...Though your life has been shattered, laugh
through the pain that is stabbing your heart!"
Pavarotti .Was a one and only there will never be another....Sadly.

[Roy_Godiksen]

He is the greatest singer, singing the greatest song. Wow.

[jessicaburnett]

no words can describe the feelings his work bring out of oneself. If only I could have live back then.

[WTF]

I think the you guys are waiting for is at 1:54.

[Orochii]

This act portrays me quite well, bravo bravo a million times over i can feel the anguish and sadness in his voice truly a great creation

[zilla]

This is superb! Singing while and acting at the same time!

[crazyhouse]

I feel each word in my blood every time i listen to this aria, Pavarotti still here with his voice, his music, we all of us.

[PCPopple]

Notice that he's got soulful brown eyes as he sings? Just wonderful! I never appreciated opera until I heard this song. :D

[michaelduval]

How many people know that this song sung by Italian Enrico Caruso was the FIRST MILLION RECORD SELLER IN THE WORLD. This was before mass distribution was available to the world,

[kjokerk]

He puts so much emotion in it its amazing

[Crushinator-rgdw]

im only half Italian and i find his videos astonishingly well done and powerfully uplifting, even if the song is a sad one i find his high notes to be the best and the longer he holds it the better it sounds.I will never get tired of hearing this. 

[jackoshadow]

Brillant aria, and even better performer.