Luciano Pavarotti as Il Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto singing La donna è mobile (Woman is fickle)
Jul 31, 2011
Luciano Pavarotti as the Duke of Mantua in the 1982 movie version of Rigoletto based on Giuseppe Verdi's 1851 opera with the same name. The canzone he is singing is famous as a showcase for tenors. Raffaele Mirate's performance of the bravura aria at the opera's 1851 premiere was hailed as the highlight of the evening. It has been recorded by Enrico Caruso, Mario Lanza, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Juan Diego Flórez, Jussi Björling, Vitas and hundreds of others. Before this song's first public performance in Venice, it was rehearsed under tight secrecy: a necessary precaution, because it proved to be catchy and soon after its first public performance every gondolier in Venice was singing it.
The English translation:
This woman is flighty
Like a feather in the wind,
She changes in voice — and in thought.
Always sweet,
Pretty face,
In tears or in laughter, — she is a liar.
Refrain
The woman is flighty
Like a feather in the wind,
She changes in voice and in thought,
And in thought!
And in thought!
Always miserable
Is he who trusts her,
He who confides in her — his unwary heart!
Yet one never feels
Fully happy
Who on that bosom — does not drink love!
Refrain
Woman is flighty
Like a feather in the wind,
She changed her words,
And her thoughts!
And her thoughts!
The Italian verses:
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.
Refrain
La donna è mobil
qual piuma al vento,
Muta d'accento e di pensier!
e di pensier!
e di pensier!
È sempre misero
Chi a lei s'affida,
Chi le confida — mal cauto il cuore!
Pur mai non sentesi
Felice appieno
Chi su quel seno — non liba amore!
Refrain
La donna è mobil
qual piuma al vento,
Muta d'accento e di pensier!
e di pensier!
e di pensier!