Rigoletto Act 3 La Donna È Mobile Lyrics
Giuseppe Verdi’s opera, Rigoletto, is a tragic masterpiece that has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. Act 3 of the opera features one of the most famous arias of all time, “La Donna È Mobile”, which translates to “Woman is Fickle” in English. The aria is sung by the Duke of Mantua and is a testament to his belief that women are fickle creatures who cannot be trusted. In this article, we will take a closer look at the lyrics of this iconic aria and explore the themes that it represents.
Overview of Rigoletto
Rigoletto is an Italian opera in three acts, with a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave and music by Giuseppe Verdi. The opera was first performed in Venice in 1851 and is based on Victor Hugo's play Le roi s'amuse. The story revolves around the tragic fate of the title character, Rigoletto, a hunchbacked court jester who works for the Duke of Mantua. Rigoletto’s job is to amuse the Duke and help him seduce women, but he is also fiercely protective of his daughter, Gilda.
Act 3 of the opera begins with the Duke singing “La Donna È Mobile” in his chambers, accompanied by his courtiers. The aria is a lighthearted ode to the fickleness of women and the Duke’s belief that he can win any woman he desires. However, the aria takes on a darker tone as the plot unfolds, and the Duke’s true character is revealed.
Lyrics of La Donna È Mobile
The lyrics of “La Donna È Mobile” are written in Italian and are as follows:
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'
These lyrics translate to:
Woman is fickle
Like a feather in the wind
She changes her voice
And her mind
Always sweet
And pretty
In tears or in laughter
She's always lying
The melody of the aria is catchy and upbeat, with a jaunty rhythm that belies the darker themes of the opera. The Duke sings the aria with great gusto, accompanied by his courtiers, who join in the chorus.
Themes of La Donna È Mobile
“La Donna È Mobile” represents a number of themes that run throughout the opera. The aria is a testament to the Duke’s belief that women are fickle and cannot be trusted. This belief is echoed by Rigoletto, who is fiercely protective of his daughter, Gilda, and fears that she will fall prey to the Duke’s charms.
The aria also represents the idea of power and the abuse of power. The Duke is a powerful man who uses his position to seduce women and get what he wants. He believes that he can have any woman he desires, and he uses his charm and charisma to get what he wants. However, his abuse of power ultimately leads to his downfall.
Finally, “La Donna È Mobile” represents the theme of love and betrayal. The Duke sings the aria as a lighthearted ode to his conquests, but his true nature is revealed as the plot unfolds. The Duke is a selfish and manipulative man who cares only for his own pleasure, and his treatment of women is callous and cruel.
Conclusion
“La Donna È Mobile” is one of the most recognizable arias in the world of opera, and for good reason. The aria represents a number of themes that are as relevant today as they were when Rigoletto was first performed over 150 years ago. The aria is a testament to the power of music to convey complex emotions and ideas, and it is a reminder of the enduring power of great art.