Vesti la Giubba

"Vesti la giubba" ([ˈvɛs.ti la ˈdʒub.ba], "Put on the costume", often referred to as "On With the Motley", from the original 1893 translation by Frederic Edward Weatherly) is a famous tenor ariafrom Ruggero Leoncavallo's 1892 opera Pagliacci. "Vesti la giubba" is sung at 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.

Enrico Caruso's recordings of the aria, from 1902, 1904 and 1909, were among the top selling records of the 78-rpm era and reached over a million sales.[1][2]

This aria is often used in popular culture, and has been featured in many renditions, mentions, and spoofs.

Libretto
Caruso sings "Vesti la giubba"

Recitar! Mentre preso dal delirio, non so più quel che dico, e quel che faccio! Eppur è d'uopo, sforzati! Bah! Sei tu forse un uom? Tu se' Pagliaccio!

Vesti la giubba e la faccia infarina. La gente paga, e rider vuole qua. E se Arlecchin t'invola Colombina, ridi, Pagliaccio, e ognun applaudirà! Tramuta in lazzi lo spasmo ed il pianto in una smorfia il singhiozzo e 'l dolor, Ah!

Ridi, Pagliaccio, sul tuo amore infranto! Ridi del duol, che t'avvelena il cor![3]

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 even a man? You are a clown!

Put on your costume, powder your face. The people pay, and they want to laugh. And if Harlequin steals your Columbina, laugh, clown, and everyone will applaud! Turn your distress and tears into jokes, your pain and sobbing into a grimace, Ah!

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