I started writing about my relaxing evening and then went tumbling down the opera rabbit hole. I just can’t help myself.

Today was a mostly relaxing day and I made it even more relaxin by treating myself to a nice bath. I rarely take baths because I feel they take too long, but today I set up a bath, but some lavender scented essential oil drops, but fake little tea candles, and played Operavore over the speaker. I was in my own little spa and it smelled glorious. Oh, and I also had a nice glass of Pinot Noir. I feel reenergized for the week ahead.

All the music was beautiful, but just as I was about to end my little spa “Vesti la guibba” from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci started to play. Such a beautiful and heartbreaking way to end my relaxation time. Just before this aria Canio Discover’s his wife’s infidelity but he, his wife, and her lover must perform on stage because “the show must go on”. See the video below for some truly wonderful music and see the original libretto and English translation below.

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!

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 and powder your face.
The people are paying, and they want to laugh here.
And if Harlequin steals away your Columbina,
laugh, clown, and all will applaud!
Turn your distress and tears into jokes,
your pain and sobs into a smirk, Ah!

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