Corteggiani

This piece is from the Opera :
Rigoletto

This piece is for the role/s :
Rigoletto

Rigoletto knows that the courtiers have kidnapped Gilda, as unwittingly he helped them abduct her. But he must not threaten them, and must appear light-hearted, cajoling the information gently from them. Finally his composure crumbles and he hurls insults at them. What evil deed have they done, taking a daughter from her father? Unless they restore her to him, they will live to regret it, even though he is unarmed. But still they prevent him from entering the Duke’s chamber, and he sinks to the ground in tears. He begs them to restore her to him. It will cost them nothing, but to a father his daughter is priceless.

A heavy string figure of repeated sextuplet semiquaver chords underpins the first section of this aria. Short declamatory phrases sit in the upper part of the voice (C-Eb) as Rigoletto’s patience snaps. The music becomes slower and more melancholy, until the vocal line is supported only by pizzicato strings and a 'cello obbligato. The vocal line changes to long phrases arching over the 'cello arpeggios, as Rigoletto pleads for his daughter’s safety.

An exciting aria for a singing actor, carrying different levels of dramatic intensity throughout - fury, impotence and desperation.

© 2004 Jeremy Fisher
Internet rights 2004 OperaTalent