The Act III quartet in Rigoletto

The Act III quartet in Rigoletto that follows the Duke's deceptively lighthearted "La Donna e Mobile" brings all of the principals onstage at the same time and illuminates the motives, strengths, and weaknesses of each. The Duke's "Un d8, si ben rammentomi," in E major, runs for 12 full bars, as a serenade to Maddalena, which ends with his trying to embrace her (Verdi 193ff). Hidden, with Rigoletto, Gilda calls him a deceiver (iniquo) and watches as he playfully seduces Maddalena. While the Duke is saying he wants to marry Maddalena, she repeats that she wants his word of honor. Rigoletto interjects to Gilda that she now sees what the Duke is like, and Gilda, hitting a fierce high G#, calls him a wicked deceiver. Thus ends the first beat, which has been a prelude to the quartet.

The quartet modulates to D-flat major, with the Duke's "Bella figlia dell'amore," which is a tender pianissimo andante. Throughout this beat, the Duke is all sweetness, while Maddalena is skeptical but interested, and Gilda is expressing betrayal. Rigoletto takes the opportunity to send Gilda away now that he has proved what kind of man the Duke is. The exchange between the Duke and Maddalena is conversational, consisting of 8th and 16th notes for several measures held on one note. Over them, Gilda and Rigoletto hold longer notes, with Gilda reaching a high B-flat. Her pianissimo at the moment she fears her heart will break for sorrow becomes a kind of wail because of the crescendo called for at that

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