Ridi Pagliaccio
Luciano Pavarotti Lyrics


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Recitar! Mentre preso dal delirio
non so più quel che dico e quel che faccio!
Eppure... è d'uopo... sforzati!
Bah, seti tu forse un uom?

Tu sei Pagliaccio!

Vesti la giubba e la faccia infarina.
La gente paga e rider vuole qua.

E se Arelcchin t'invola Colombina
ridi, Pagliaccio e ognun applaudirà!
Tramuta in lazzi lo spasmo ed il pianto;
in una smorfia il singhiozzo e 'l dolor...





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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics "Recitar! Mentre preso dal delirio" are the opening lines of Luciano Pavarotti's song ‘Vesti la giubba’ from the opera ‘Pagliacci’ by Ruggero Leoncavallo. These lines are sung by the main character, Canio, who is a clown named Pagliaccio. The opening lines signify Canio's mental state. He is in the middle of an emotional breakdown and cannot control his thoughts or actions anymore. Despite his inability to think straight, he forces himself to act normally and begins his performance.


The second line "non so più quel che dico e quel che faccio!" means "I don't know what I'm saying, and what I'm doing." This line builds upon the first as Canio realizes he is losing control. Canio is aware that he is supposed to perform and is trying to push through his emotions.


The following line is "Eppure... è d'uopo... sforzati!" meaning "And yet... it's necessary... (I must) make an effort!" Canio is trying his best to overcome his emotions and put on a show. He is aware of his responsibility towards his audience, and, despite his heartbreak, makes the effort to perform.


The final lines of the lyric, "Ridi, Pagliaccio, sul tuo amore infranto, ridi del duol che t'avvelena il cor!" mean "Laugh, Pagliaccio, at your broken love, laugh at the pain that poisons your heart!" Canio, who is heartbroken, must put on a show for the audience, pretending to be happy while dealing with the sorrow of his failed love life. He must hide his real feelings and put on a brave face for the audience, which is one of the most emotional moments in the song.


Line by Line Meaning

Recitar! Mentre preso dal delirio
Act! While taken over by delirium


non so più quel che dico e quel che faccio!
I no longer know what I say or do!


Eppure... è d'uopo... sforzati!
And yet... it is necessary... make an effort!


Bah, seti tu forse un uom?
Pshaw, are you even a man?


Tu sei Pagliaccio!
You are a clown!


Vesti la giubba e la faccia infarina.
Put on the costume and powder your face.


La gente paga e rider vuole qua.
People pay and want to laugh here.


E se Arelcchin t'invola Colombina
And if Harlequin steals Colombina from you


ridi, Pagliaccio e ognun applaudirà!
laugh, clown, and everyone will applaud!


Tramuta in lazzi lo spasmo ed il pianto;
Turn your spasms and tears into jest;


in una smorfia il singhiozzo e 'l dolor...
in a grimace, sobs and pain...


Ridi, Pagliaccio, sul tuo amore infranto,
Laugh, clown, at your broken love,


ridi del duol che t'avvelena il cor!
laugh at the pain that poisons your heart!




Contributed by Jonathan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@uccello8214

Великий певец, великая ария....Браво!!! 👏👏👏👏👋👋👋👋👍👍
-Играть! когда точно в бреду я,
Ни слов я,
ни поступков своих не понимаю!
И все же должен я играть!
Что ж, ты разве человек?
Нет, ты паяц!

Ты наряжайся
и лицо мажь мукою.
Народ ведь платит, смеяться хочет он.
А Коломбину
Арлекин похитит.
Смейся, Паяц, и всех ты потешай!
Ты под шуткой должен
скрыть рыданья и слезы,
А под гримасой смешной
муки ада. Ах!
Смейся, Паяц,
Над разбитой любовью,
Смейся, Паяц, ты над горем своим!



All comments from YouTube:

@valeriamejia6276

Someone in 2024?

@juanpablo-mq6oz

Yes

@PGY2000

Every day

@PsyGnoeticSystemsINC

Io

@saaj1974

🙋‍♂

@gabrielsoares8575

Yes. Here I am listening this masterpiece.

12 More Replies...

@007sMoneyPenny

The facial expressions, the whole body language is fantastic. It makes me feel what he is suffering. A GREAT artist in his own league. Love him, R.i.P. Maestro

@officiallucianopavarotti9668

Tienes un impacto tan profundo en mi carrera que incluso el texto de agradecimiento más grande se quedaría corto para expresar mi gratitud. Gracias por su apoyo y el amor mostrado, manténgase a salvo ❤️❤️❤️

@blackrose_cba

🕯️🖤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@maghidafiord251

😢​@@officiallucianopavarotti9668😮

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