Carlo Bergonzi (born 13 July 1924) is an Italian operatic tenor. Although he performed and recorded some bel canto and verismo roles, he is above all associated with the operas of Giuseppe Verdi, including a large number of the composer's lesser-known works that he helped revive. Essentially a lyric tenor with spinto capabilities, Bergonzi was greatly admired during the peak of his career for his beautiful diction, smooth legato, warm timbre and elegant phrasing. Above all he was acclaimed for his attention to the style required in Verdi's operas...
Lyrics & English Translation
This girl or that girl are just the same to me, to all the others around me I won't give away my heart to this beauty nor to the others. Their charm is a gift Given by destiny to embellish their lives If today I love this one I'll probably love someone else tomorrow. We hate constancy, the heart's tyrant, as if it were a cruel plague, Let those who wish to be faithful keep their fidelity alive; There is no love without freedom. The rage of jealous husbands and lovers' woes I despise, I can defy Argo's hundred eyes If I fancy a beautiful girl.
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I send my kind and warm regards,
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.