Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow SCENA IX.—: Rigoletto, poi il Duca [Editor: illegible word] tempo. - Rigoletto: An Opera in Four Acts

Return to Title Page for Rigoletto: An Opera in Four Acts

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Music
Topic: Opera and Liberty

SCENA IX.—: Rigoletto, poi il Duca [Editor: illegible word] tempo. - Giuseppe Verdi, Rigoletto: An Opera in Four Acts [1851]

Edition used:

Rigoletto: An Opera in Four Acts, words by Victor Hugo (New York: Fred Rullman, n.d.). Metropolitan Opera House, Grand Opera, Libretto.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


SCENA IX.—

Rigoletto,poi ilDuca[Editor: illegible word] tempo.

Egli è là!—morto!—O si—vorrei vederlo!

Ma che importa!—e ben desso!—Ecco i suoi sproni.

Ora mi garda, o mondo—

Quest’ è un buffone, ed un potente è questo!

Ei sta sotto a’ miei piedi. E’ desso! è desso!

E’ giunta alfin la tua vendetta, o duolo!

Sia l’ onda a lui sepolcro,

Un sacco il suo lenzuolo!

[Fa per trascinare il sacco verso la sponda, quando e sorpreso dalla lootana voce del Duc. che nel fondo attraversa la scena.

Qual voce! illusion notturna e questa!

No! no!—egli è desso! è desso!

[Trasalendo

Maledizione! Olà dimon bandito?

[Verso la casa.

Chi è mai, chi è qui in sua vece!

[Taglia il sacco.

Io tremo. E’ umano corpo!

[Lampeggia.

Rig.

Mia figlia! Dio! mia figlia! Gilda!

[Strappandosi i tapelli cade sul cadevere della figlia.]

Spa.

A light! Not yet—the money!

[Rig. gives him a purse

Spa.

Quick, let us throw him into the river.

Rig.

I can do it alone.

Spa.

As you desire. This place is not the best.

Higher up the waves are deeper

Be quick, that none may see you Good night.

[Re-enters the house

ACT I.

SCENE I.—

A Ball-room in the Ducal Palace. Ladies and Gentlemen, Pages and Servants, cross the scene. Music is heard at a distance, and now and then bursts of laughter. Enter theDukeandBorsa.

Duke.

I am quite resolved to follow to the end

My new adventure with this youthful lady.

Borsa.

You mean the one you meet in going to church?

Duke.

Yes, in a lonely street, and every day Receives a visit from a dubious man.

Borsa.

But does she know him not?

Duke.

Yes, every Sunday for the last three months.

Borsa.

Know you where she resides?

Duke.

No, I think not.

[A group of Ladies and Gentlemen cross the scene.

Borsa.

Behold those charming ladies.

Duke.

Yes, but Ceprano’s wife excels them all.

Borsa.

Ah! but mind her husband, Duke.

Duke.

What matters?

Borsa.

It might be spread about.

Duke.

What then—no great misfortune.

    • Mongst the beauties here around,
    • Dver me none have control;
    • None can say, “I am preferred;”
    • Equal love I feel for all.
    • Yes, all women are to me
    • Like the flowers of the field.
    • Now to this, I am inclined,
    • Now to that by chance I yield.
    • As one flies from a great peril,
    • So from constancy I fly;
    • Those who will, may faithful be,
    • In freedom only love doth lie.
    • I despise a jealous husband,
    • And I laugh at lover’s sighs—
    • If a beauty strikes my fancy,
    • I defy one hundred eyes.