He soon gained fame due to the power and strength of his voice. The young tenor earned valuable experience and significant recognition while touring on the invitation of soprano Joan Sutherland, making his 1965 U.S. debut in Miami, Florida on her recommendation. His position was solidified in the years between 1966 and 1972, during which Pavarotti first appeared at Milan's seminal La Scala, at other major European houses, and, in 1968, at NYC's Metropolitan Opera. He received great acclaim, particularly working well with Joan Sutherland.
By the mid-70s, the tenor became known worldwide, famed for the brilliance and beauty of his tone, especially into the upper register. His "high C" became one of his trademarks. The late 70s and 80s saw Pavarotti making significant appearances in the world's opera houses and establishing himself as one of the great singers of the era.
Popular stardom came at the 1990 World Cup in Italy with the performances of "Nessun Dorma" (from Turandot) and as one of The Three Tenors in their famed first concert held on the eve of the final match of the tournament (repeated at later Cups). Pavarotti sang together with fellow star tenors Plácido Domingo and José Carreras and brought to the much wider audience hits previously confined to the opera world. Appearances in advertisements and with pop icons in concerts around the world furthered his influence. Pavarotti always maintained his identity as an opera star, unlike many crossover artists.
The later years brought a decline in ability to perform on stage due to a weight gain and lack of mobility. Pavarotti's final appearance in an opera was at the Met in March 2004. The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy saw him performing for the last time. Pavarotti sang Nessun Dorma, with the crowd as its Chorus, and got a thunderous standing ovation. On September 6, 2007, he died at home in Modena from pancreatic cancer.
Recitar! ... Vesti La Giubba
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Non so più quel che dico
E quel che faccio
Eppur, è d'uopo, sforzati, bah
Sei tu forse un uom? Ah ah ah
Tu se' Pagliaccio
Vesti la giubba e la faccia infarina
E se Arlecchin t'invo la Columbina
Ridi, Pagliaccio e ognun applaudirà
Tramuta in lazzi lo spasmo ed il pianto
In una smorfia il singhiozzo e il dolor, ah
Ridi Pagliaccio
Sul tuo amore infranto
Ridi del duol che t'avvelena il cor
The lyrics of the song "Recitar!" by Luciano Pavarotti are about a clown, who is forced to perform in front of an audience while experiencing deep emotional pain. The first line, "Recitar!" means, "to act," or "to perform," and sets the stage for the song's themes of performance, sadness, and comedy. The singer describes how he is "taken by delirium" and no longer knows what he is saying or doing. The line, "Eppur d'uopo, sforzati!" means "And yet, it's necessary, make an effort!" The singer acknowledges the pressure that he feels to perform, despite the emotional turmoil that he is experiencing.
The song then references the clown's costume, specifically his white makeup and flour-covered face. The singer instructs the clown, "Dress the jacket / and cover your face with flour," indicating that the clown must put on his costume and makeup before performing. The audience expects the clown to be funny and entertaining. If he does not meet their expectations, they will not pay him, he will not eat, and he will suffer. The singer then tells the clown that if Arlecchino, another clown, steals his beloved Colombina, he should laugh it off, and everyone will applaud him. Finally, the singer instructs the clown to "transform spasms and tears into jokes," and "smirk the sorrow, the pain." He tells the clown to laugh at the heartbreak that poisons him because that is what is expected of him.
Line by Line Meaning
Recitar! Mentre preso dal delirio,
Recite! While taken by madness,
Non so pi quel che dico,
I no longer know what I say,
E quel che faccio!
And what I do!
Eppur d'uopo, sforzati! Bah! sei tu forse un uom? Tu se' Pagliaccio!
Yet, it's necessary, exert yourself! Bah! Are you perhaps a man? You are Pagliaccio!
Vesti la giubba,
Put on the costume,
E la faccia in farina.
And white the face with flour.
La gente paga, e rider vuole qua.
The people pay, and want to laugh here.
E se Arlecchin t'invola Colombina,
And if Harlequin steals Colombina from you,
Ridi, Pagliaccio, e ognun applaudir!
Laugh, Pagliaccio, and everyone will applaud!
Tramuta in lazzi lo spasmo ed il pianto;
Transform into jests the spasms and the tears;
In una smorfia il singhiozzo il dolor, Ah!
In one grimace the sobbing, the pain, Ah!
Ridi, Pagliaccio,
Laugh, Pagliaccio,
Sul tuo amore infranto!
About your broken love!
Ridi del duol, che t'avvelena il cor!
Laugh at the pain, which poisons your heart!
Lyrics © ACE Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUGGERO LEONCAVALLO, ROLAND SHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind