This is from the movie "Rigoletto from Mantua", a movie of Verdi's 'Rigoletto' filmed live in the city where the action takes place. Beautifully made, tenor Placido Domingo sings the baritone role of Rigoletto at age 70. While not the booming voice one generally hears as Rigoletto, but rather with a 'tenorial' timber, he delivers a lovely performance with dynamic stage presence and touching expression. The entire movie can be seen at PBS currently and is well worth anyone's time who likes great music and great singing. The Italian tenor, Vittorio Grigolo, who has recently been making a big name for himself, sings the Duke of Mantua, and the pretty Russian soprano, Julia Novikova sings Gilda. One of the best opera movies to date, in my humble opinion.
My video clip begins after Gilda, Rigoletto's daughter, has been abducted by the courtiers and brought to the Duke for his vile pleasure. This is after the courtiers have actually fooled Rigoletto, the Duke's court jester, into helping them kidnap his own daughter for her dishonor. As Rigoletto enters the Duke's palace, looking for Gilda, the courtiers sneer and mock him. This clip includes the piece, "Cortigiani, vil razza dannata..." which I posted earlier sung by Louis Quilico.
