RIGOLETTO - the meeting with Sparafucile

From the 1999 Bel Canto Opera production of Rigoletto: On his way home from work at the Ducal palace where he is jester, Rigoletto (David Purcell) discovers the assassin Sparafucile (Edward Harper) lurking by his garden gate.

RIGOLETTO: I feel the father's curse on me!
SPARAFUCILE: Signor...
RIGOLETTO: (thinking him a thief) Go...I have nothing.
SPARAFUCILE: Don't worry. I'm here for business. I offer you my skill.
RIGOLETTO: What business?
SPARAFUCILE: I specialise in getting rid of foes and rivals. I'm sure there's someone...
RIGOLETTO: Someone?
SPARAFUCILE: ...a man you wish to dispose of.
RIGOLETTO: Assassin! How much would be your fee for a grandee who's titled?
SPARAFUCILE: Nobles are somewhat dearer.
RIGOLETTO: I'd need to know your terms.
SPARAFUCILE: Half of the total in advance, the balance when it's done.
RIGOLETTO: A monster. When do you do it? Where do you ply this trade?
SPARAFUCILE: Usually in dim-lit alleyways, or better still at my place. I come up from behind him...and slit the jugular. He's dead.
RIGOLETTO: When it's at your place?
SPARAFUCILE: It's easier. My sister's there to help me. She's attractive, skillful and cunning. She lures my victims to me.
RIGOLETTO: To your place?
SPARAFUCILE: While they're making love...
RIGOLETTO: I see now.
SPARAFUCILE: This knife fulfils the contract. You want it?
RIGOLETTO: No. Maybe later.
SPARAFUCILE: You'll need me soon.
RIGOLETTO: Who knows?
SPARAFUCILE: 'Sparafucil'...remember me!
RIGOLETTO: A strange name.
SPARAFUCILE: I'm a gypsy.
RIGOLETTO: If I need you, where can I find you?
SPARAFUCILE: Here...every evening.
RIGOLETTO: Go!
SPARAFUCILE: Sparafucil...Sparafucil.
RIGOLETTO: Go! Go! Go! Go!

We are brothers. Both assassins.
My tongue's my weapon. I murder with derision...he, with his dagger.
I feel the father's curse on me!
O humankind! Wicked nature! Witness the product of your vile creation. A hunchback - twisted, malicious. A laughing stock - crippled and vicious. Damned at birth, put on earth only to entertain. Have I not got a soul or feelings? Can't I shed tears?
Look at the Duke, my master - carefree and healthy, young and handsome - wealthy. I am there when he calls me: "Make me laugh, fool - amuse me!" and I must dance attendance. Humiliation! I hate you and all your stupid sneering courtiers. If I cause them pain, I'm happy. If I'm rude and cruel...you made me play the monster. Once I leave the palace, I turn back into a human.
I feel the father's curse on me!
Like the furies, it comes to plague my soul. I can't escape it. Does it portend disaster? Ah no! What a nonsense!

words© Tom Boyd

Category:

Music

Tags:

• opera
• Bel
• Canto
• Opera
• verdi
• rigoletto
• sparafucile
• boyd
• david
• purcell
• edward
• harper

[injuryandinsult]

why on earth should this be in english???

[hughdrover]

Essere o non essere, questo è il problema. Verdis libretto is in English for an English audience for the same reason that Hamlet becomes Amleto for an Italian audience. Farsi capire. Avete capito?

[02kissme]

Can't make out if this is supposed to be in English or what other language...but nice voice on the part of both. Rigoletto a little bare on top at times....hmmm.

[hughdrover]

Of course it's sung in English. Can't understand your problem. The words are all on the right, if you have difficulty with comprehension, but both the singers' diction is pretty good.

[injuryandinsult]

yes but we're not talking about just some character's name, they are singing entirely new lyrics that of course can't perfectly fit with the music that was originally written for italian lyrics :)

anyway the're both swell :)

[dn827]

that's quite gd especially for the rigoletto actually just a pity that it's not sung in italian