[lee martell]

Luciano sings with ease and confidence. For him, it’s another form of speech.

That reminds me of another work sung by Pavarotti:
Torn la Pace; Idomeneo’s aria, by Mozart.
His very last line nearly rips your heart out.

[Worldtraveler once upon a time]

Agree with your assessment of Pavarotti,

Here's the hour+ recording of I Pagliacci with an amazing cast. Bjoerling, de los Angeles, Warren, Merrill, etc. Historic, and given the recording tech of that era, a "capture" worth a listen. For me, again.

I Pagliacci

Next, I think I'll look up Heifetz playing Bach's astounding Chaconne. Best wishes.