"Act III Quartet" from Verdi's Rigoletto. From the beauty of a four-leaf clover, to the symmetry of a traffic cloverleaf, the push-pull between nature and man underscores the interwoven melodies of the famous four-part ensemble. Drawn from BLO's 2014 production, the piece features vocals by Audrey Babcock, Michael Mayes, Nadine Sierra, and Bruce Sledge.

English Translation:

THE DUKE:
One day in the street I saw your lovely face,
And from that moment I could think only of you.
MADDALENA:
Liar, you’ve said that a million times.
THE DUKE:
Women just can’t resist me.
MADDALENA:
But I will not be one of them.
THE DUKE:
Don’t make a scene… just give in.
These white hands – so soft…
MADDALENA:
You’re joking. They’re ugly.
THE DUKE:
Kiss me.
MADDALENA:
You’re drunk.
THE DUKE:
Only with love.
MADDALENA:
You bastard.
THE DUKE:
I’ll even marry you.
MADDALENA:
Careful… I might believe you.
THE DUKE:
I never lie.
RIGOLETTO:
Heard enough?
GILDA:
He’d marry her?
THE DUKE:
Beautiful daughter of Venus, I am your slave.
Say yes and my suffering ends.
Feel the beating of my heart.
MADDALENA:
Talk is cheap.
GILDA:
They speak of love…
MADDALENA:
You are nothing but trouble.
GILDA:
…words he spoke once to me.
RIGOLETTO:
Quiet… weeping is useless.
GILDA:
My love… betrayed, broken.

For more information about the artists, visit blo.org/retro.

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