In Rigoletto, Verdi charts the fate of his larger-than-life characters -- the tormented jester trying to avenge himself on his heartless playboy employer the Duke of Mantua, who has carelessly seduced Rigoletto's innocent daughter Gilda -- in music of immense theatrical punch and instant memorability. Based on Victor Hugo's controversial play, Le Roi s'amuse, Verdi's 1851 tragedy caused one of his many rows with the censors before its Venetian premiere. Following a few minor compromises, the work triumphed locally, then internationally. The score's most celebrated highlights -- the Duke's 'Questa o quella' and 'La donna e mobile', Gilda's 'Caro nome', and the famous quartet (which Hugo believed actually improved on his play at that point in the action) -- are among the best known set-pieces in all opera. First seen in 2001, David McVicar's production teems with life and colour and, with Tanya McCallin's period costumes and Michael Vale's starkly effective sets, it provides an ideal frame for Verdi's exploration of love, emotional betrayal and the darkest revenge.
Rigoletto: Dimitri Platanias
Marullo: ZhengZhong Zhou
Gilda: Ekaterina Siurina
Count Monterone: Gianfranco Montresor
Duke of Mantua: Vittorio Grigolo
Giovanna: Elizabeth Sikora
Matteo Borsa: Pablo Bemsch
Page: Andrea Hazell
Count Ceprano: Jihoon Kim
Court Usher: Nigel Cliffe
Countess Ceprano: Susana Gaspar
Maddalena: Christine Rice
Royal Opera Chorus
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Conductor: John Eliot Gardiner
Set design: Michael Vale
Stage Director: David McVicar
Costume designs: Tanya McCallin
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Watch videos with other singers performing Questa o quella:
Questa o quella per me pari sono A quant'altre d'intorno mi vedo; Del mio core l'impero non cedo Meglio ad una che ad altra beltà. La costoro avvenenza è qual dono Di che il fato ne infiora la vita; S'oggi questa mi torna gradita Forse un'altra doman lo sarà.
La costanza, tiranna del core, Detestiamo qual morbo crudele. Sol chi vuole si serbi fedele; Non v'è amor se non v'è libertà. De' mariti il geloso furore, Degli amanti le smanie derido; Anco d'Argo i cent'occhi disfido Se mi punge una qualche beltà.
Entra il Conte di Ceprano, che segue da lungi la sua sposa servita da altro cavaliere; dame e signori che entrano da varie parti.
DUCA alla signora di Ceprano movendo ad incontrarla con molta galanteria Partite? … Crudele!
CONTESSA DI CEPRANO Seguire lo sposo M'è forza a Ceprano.
DUCA Ma dee luminoso In corte tal astro qual sole brillare. Per voi qui ciascuno dovrà palpitare. Per voi già possente la fiamma d'amore Inebria, conquide, distrugge il mio core.
CONTESSA Calmatevi …
Il Duca le dà il braccio ed esce con lei. Entra Rigoletto che s'incontra nel signor di Ceprano, poi cortigiani.
RIGOLETTO In testa che avete, Signor di Ceprano? Ceprano fa un gesto d'impazienza e segue il Duca. Rigoletto dice ai cortigiani. Ei sbuffa, vedete?
BORSA, CORO Che festa!
RIGOLETTO Oh sì...
BORSA, CORO Il Duca qui pur si diverte!
RIGOLETTO Così non è sempre? che nuove scoperte! Il giuoco ed il vino, le feste, la danza, Battaglie, conviti, ben tutto gli sta. Or della Contessa l'assedio egli avanza, E intanto il marito fremendo ne va.
Esce. Entra Marullo premuroso.
English Libretto or Translation:
DUKE That wouldn't worry me at all.
Neither is any different from the rest I see around me; I never yield my heart to one beauty more than another. Feminine charm is a gift bestowed by fate to brighten our lives. And if one woman pleases me today, tomorrow, like as not, another will. Fidelity ? that tyrant of the heart – we shun like pestilence. Only those who want to should be faithful; without freedom there is no love. I find the ravings of jealous husbands and the frenzy of lovers ridiculous; once smitten by a pretty face I'd not let Argus' hundred eyes deter me!
Count Ceprano enters and, from a distance, watches his wife who is on the arm of another man; more ladies and gentlemen enter.
DUKE to Ceprano's wife, greeting her with great gallantry You are leaving us? How cruel!
COUNTESS CEPRANO I must go with my husband to Ceprano.
DUKE So bright a star should be shedding its brilliance on my court. You would make every heart beat faster here. The fires of passion already flare headily, conquering, consuming my heart.
COUNTESS Calm yourself!
The Duke gives her his arm and leads her out. Rigoletto meets Ceprano, then the courtiers.
RIGOLETTO What have you on your head, my lord of Ceprano? Ceprano reacts with an angry gesture, then follows his wife and the Duke. Rigoletto says to the courtiers. He's fuming, did you see?
BORSA, CHORUS What sport!
RIGOLETTO Oh, yes!
BORSA, CHORUS The Duke is enjoying himself!
RIGOLETTO Doesn't he always? That's nothing new.
Gaming and wine, parties, dancing, battles and banquets ? anything goes. Now he's laying siege to the Countess while her husband goes off in a rage.