Rigoletto: Libretto

I have no problem with this low-budget Dover edition of the Ricordi vocal score for Rigoletto, except for the fact that there is no English translation offered for the Italian. While I have learned some Italian by osmosis over the years, I have no formal training in that tongue, so when I sing the Italian words, without a second reference I have no way of knowing what I'm singing about! Other than that, however, this low-cost edition does very well, especially if you know Italian. There really is no need to pay more.

The book was in excellent condition. It was used but I thought it was brand new due to how great of a condition in it was in. It also arrived in a very timely manner. I was extremely pleased!

The physical volume is 8" x 10½", and 1" thick, with 431 pages of score, preceded by synopses in Italian, English, German, and French; a list of roles; a list of instruments; and a brief table of contents stating where each act begins. If you want to find "La donna è mobile," you need to go to Act 3 and start looking (hint: bottom of page 313). The text and notes are printed clearly, not occasionally faded as in some scores that I have seen. I would subtract half a star for the absence from the table of contents of the famous arias and the quartet, but it will serve my purposes.

My family is going to Italy in the fall and on a whim we decided to go to a real Italian opera. Rigoletto was listed on the internet at the opera house near our hotel, so we purchased tickets. I ordered this libretto to learn the story and take with me to the opera. It's perfect, very inexpensive and very light to pack. Arrived on time and in new condition.

This is the first version, I believe, and in an old type face. A fine replacement for my old score, which had fallen apart.

The ENO guides are really the best bang for the buck. A thorough listing of the main themes, several essays on the opera, and the libretto. When I want to learn more about an opera, I look for ENO guides first. This one does not disappoint.

I would prefer an exact translation of the libretto from the Italian to the English. I do not like editorializing.

wonderful music and words.

alles okay

Ich verwende das Buch zur Vorbereitung auf den Besuch der Oper Rigoletto

Nun weiß ich endlich, wie der Text der bekannten Arie weitergeht, und zwar auf Englisch und Deutsch. Im Fernsehen wurde die Oper auf Italienisch ohne Untertitel gezeigt, ohne das Textbuch hätte ich wohl kaum begriffen, worum es darin geht. Auch die Notenbeispiele haben mir gefallen.Man kann diese oder jene Melodie nachsummen und so die Musik besser durchdringen.

Okay

Alles Ok.*****