"La donna è mobile" from Rigoletto is a famous showpiece for tenors and one of the most popular bravura arias from the history of opera. The canzone of the Duke of Mantua is based on Victor Hugo's bonmont „Souvent femme varie. Bien fol est qui s’y fie!“ This quote was used by Francesco Maria Piave in his libretto for Verdi’s opera. Rigoletto leads his daughter Gilda to a shabby inn on a river. As they approach the house and peer through a hole in the wall, they see the killer Sparafucile sitting at a table. Sparafucile’s sister Maddalena has lured the Duke of Mantua in and the two watch as the Duke enters and looks forward to the night with Maddalena. Marcelo Alvarez as the Duke of Mantua performed this aria at the New Year's Eve Gala at Philharmonie Berlin in 1998, with the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Claudio Abbado.
Marcelo Alvarez & Claudio Abbado – Verdi: Rigoletto: La donna è mobile Listen to 'Berlin Gala – Songs of Love and Desire': Subscribe here – The Best Of Classical Music: _______________
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Watch videos with other singers performing La donna e mobile:
DUCA La donna è mobile Qual piuma al vento, Muta d'accento E di pensiero. Sempre un amabile Leggiadro viso, In pianto o in riso È menzognero.
È sempre misero Chi a lei s'affida, Chi le confida Mal cauto il core! Pur mai non sentesi Felice appieno Chi su quel seno Non liba amore!
La donna è mobile, ecc.
Sparafucile rientra con una bottiglia di vino e due bicchieri che depone sulla tavola: quindi batte col pomo della sua lunga spada due colpi al soffitto. A quel segnale una ridente giovane, in costume di zingara, scende a salti la scala. Il Duca corre per abbracciarla, ma ella gli sfugge. Frattanto Sparafucile, uscito sulla via, dice a parte a Rigoletto:
SPARAFUCILE È là il vostr'uomo …viver dee o morire?
RIGOLETTO Più tardi tornerò l'opra a compire.
Sparafucile s'allontana dietro la casa verso il fiume.
English Libretto or Translation:
DUKE Women are as fickle as feathers in the wind, simple in speech, and simple in mind. Always the loveable, sweet, laughing face, but laughing or crying, the face is false for sure.
If you rely on her you will regret it, and if you trust her you are undone! Yet none can call himself fully contented who has not tasted love in her arms!
Women are as fickle, etc.
Sparafucile returns with a bottle of wine and two glasses, which he puts on the table; then he strikes the ceiling twice with the pommel of his sword. At this signal, a buxom young woman in gypsy costume comes jumping down the stairs. The Duke runs to kiss her, but she eludes him. Meanwhile, Sparafucile, having slipped out into the road, speaks softly to Rigoletto:
SPARAFUCILE Your man's in there. Is he to live or die?
RIGOLETTO I'll come back later to conclude our business.
Sparafucile moves off behind the house in the direction of the river.