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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow SCENE II.—: The Duke, dressed as a private officer, enters the inn. - Rigoletto: An Opera in Four Acts

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Subject Area: Music
Topic: Opera and Liberty

SCENE II.—: The Duke, dressed as a private officer, enters the inn. - 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.


SCENE II.—

The Duke, dressed as a private officer, enters the inn.

Gil.

Ah! my father!

[Surprised.

Duke.

Two things I want, and then—

[To Spa.

Spa.

Speak, sir,

Duke.

A room and wine.

Rig.

This is the life he leads.

Spa.

(A handsome youth, indeed!)

[Aside.

[Spa. goes out.

Duke.

The women are unsettled

As feathers in the wind,

Each moment change their mind.

In tears, or even smiles,

Yes, woman’s lovely face,

For ever us beguiles!

The man that is so mad

To trust a woman’s heart

For ever must be sad.

But still there is no bliss,

Upon this earth compared

To that of a sweet kiss!

[Spa. enters with a bottle and two glasses, which he places on the table. He then beats the ceiling twice with the hilt of his sword. At this signal a pretty young girl, dressed as a gypsy, descends the stairs. The Duke rushes to embrace her, but she avoids him. Meanwhile Spa having gone out upon the road, says aside to Rig.:—

Spa.

Your man is there. Must he now live or die?

Rig.

Wait awhile, and you shall know my will

[Spa. goes slowly away.