Vesti la Giubba

Vesti la Giubba "(Put on the costume)" is a famous tenor aria performed as part of the opera "Pagliacci", written and composed by Ruggiero Leoncavallo, and 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 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.

Since the opera's first performance in 1892, this aria in particular has ingrained itself well into popular culture, and has often been featured in many renditions, mentions, and spoofs over the years. The 1904 recording by Enrico Caruso was the first million-selling record in history. [http://www.terramedia.co.uk/Chronomedia/years/1904.htm] - Chronomedia - Obtained on September 11, 2007.]

Libretto

Media

Adaptations

The 1971 album "Spike Jones Is Murdering The Classics" features a satirization of Vesti la giubba called "Pal-Yat-Chee"- the name intended as a play on the name of the opera. The song features vocals by Homer and Jethro as bumpkins who try to make sense of the opera and its main character.

Rock band Queen use part of the melody for the opening lines of the 1984 song "It's a Hard Life" from the album "The Works".

References

"Vesti la Giubba" as performed by Tenor great Mario Lanza in 1959 shortly before his death at the age of 38. [http://thewikipediahallofshame.blogspot.com/2008/03/mario-lanza-vesti-la-giubba-1959.html]