Vesti la giubba (Put on the costume) is a famous tenor aria performed as part

of the opera Pagliacci, by Ruggero Leoncavallo, first performed in 1892. 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 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. The 1904 recording by Enrico Caruso was the
first million-selling record in history.

Recitar! Mentre preso dal delirio, Act! While in delirium,

non so più quel che dico,
e quel che faccio!
Eppur è d'uopo… sforzati!
Bah! Sei tu forse un uom?
Tu se' Pagliaccio!
I no longer know what I say,
and what I do!
And yet it's necessary… make an effort!
Bah! Are you not a man?
You are a clown!

Vesti la giubba, Put on your costume,

e la faccia infarina. and powder your face.
La gente paga, The people have paid,
e rider vuole qua. and they want to laugh.
E se Arlecchin And if harlequin
t'invola Colombina, steals your Columbina,
ridi, Pagliaccio, laugh, clown,
e ognun applaudirà! and the crowd will cheer!
Tramuta in lazzi Turn into jest
lo spasmo ed il pianto your distress and tears,
in una smorfia into a funny face
il singhiozzo e 'l dolor - Ah! your sobbing and pain - Ah!

Ridi, Pagliaccio, Laugh, clown,

sul tuo amore infranto! at your broken love!
Ridi del duol, Laugh at the grief
che t'avvelena il cor! that poisons your heart!