Greatest Moments in Italian Opera - Verdi's "La Donna E Mobile" From Rigoletto

The aria "La Donna E Mobile" from Verdi's operawho points out to her how she is far from being the
Rigoletto is one of the merriest melodies ever writtenonly woman in his life. Gilda however despite seeing
as there is a carefree feeling to it of the rich dukeduke Mantua in the company of another women as he
Mantua and his attitude toward the many women hesings "La Donna E Mobile" does not loose her affection
has seduced. He being one whose wealth and spiritfor him and even sacrifices her own life so that she
lend themselves to the life of one who does nothingmight save his. This being what she does when she
but go about seeking enjoyment from as manysubstitutes herself for duke Mantua, whom Sparafucile
women as may cross his path with intensions ofbelieves he has killed when in fact he has
sharing in his desires for carnal pleasure. "La Donna Eassassinated Gilda instead.
Mobile" (meaning "woman is capricious") being dukeIt being afterwards that Sparafucile delivers on to
Mantua's motto in life, as its words indicate in the formRigoletto, Gilda's body in a sack, whom Rigoletto at the
"woman is capricious like a feather in the wind, full oftime believes to be that of duke Mantua yet it is as he
accent in her thoughts, always a kind lovely face, heis contemplating how he has had his enemy killed that
who trusts her will always be miserable yet he whohe hears from a distance the aria "La Donna E Mobile"
does not will never know love" yet it is in the musicbeing sung by the man he believes to be dead. It is the
that one can feel the person this character is. It being asound of this very aria and the voice he hears singing
music that captures the essence of a man capable ofit that fills Rigoletto with horror, for if that is duke
falling in love with the ease of a gaze in any directionMantua who sings it then who could the person in the
that might include a lady to match his taste.sack be? It is with dread that Rigoletto looks in the
As for the story of Rigoletto, it is the narrative of asack to discover that the person he thought was his
hunchback who lends his name to the opera and hisdead enemy was the body of his daughter, Gilda who
relationship with his daughter, Gilda whom he wishes tohas not yet died but does so in his arms as he realizes
protect from her lover, duke Mantua. It being he whothat he has done none other than have his own
Rigoletto does not approve of for his daughter, givingdaughter; whom he claimed to love executed.
his womanizing ways yet he is unable to convince hisI, for my part would say that the aria "La Donna E
daughter that perhaps her interests are not bestMobile" is one of the typical lady's man. As there is a
served in her romance with him. Rigoletto on the onecertain air of confidence about it of one who takes to
hand is a protective father yet some might say that hethe conquest of many a woman yet is fully aware
is overly, as he takes it upon himself to have the manthat like men; they too are subject to fickle changes
his daughter claims to love assassinated by a hiredthat can cause hurt; specially for he who takes to the
killer named Sparafucile. Of course in all this one couldways of love too deeply. Rigoletto however comes to
also say that Rigoletto feels hurt upon his pride as hesee this aria as one that mocks him and his daughter,
sees a member of the upper classes takingwhom duke Mantua has shared carnal knowledge with
advantage of his beloved daughter, Gilda.and at the end sings out as if to remind Rigoletto that
Gilda however for her part though she does nothe no matter what Rigoletto did would always get the
always approve of duke Mantua, is madly enamoredbetter of him. All as Rigoletto observes for himself that
with him as he represents everything to her in ways ofall he has managed to accomplish is the act of killing
love that lead her to forgive all his faults that include,his own daughter instead of the man, he came to
infidelity. This being a clear example of what shedespise; who sings this aria as if in triumph over him.
witness when spying on him with her father, Rigoletto