JOAN COXON (Soprano)
TOM KINNIBURGH (Bass)
THE CRESWELL COLLIERY BAND Conducted by DAVID ASPINALL
IN the first act of Verdi's Rigoletto, the handsome and dissolute Duke has been making love to Gilda, the daughter of his Court Jester, Rigoletto. The Duke has not revealed his identity, calling himself simply a student. Here, Gilda, left alone, has her innocent mind full of his image, and sings in soliloquy that his name is carved on her heart. The air is one of Verdi's brilliant show pieces which has been sung by all the most famous Coloratura singers since it was composed ; there are few indeed of Verdi's melodies so universally popular.
A NEPHEW of the French marshal who lost his life at the Battle of Leipzig, Prince Poniatowski found time, amid the affairs of State to which his station in the world called him, to become a thoroughly equipped musician. His was by no means the usual amateur's equipment. After the disaster to the French arms in the Franco-Prussian War he came with his Emperor to London, and took an important place in its music, producing more than one of his big works in the London theatres. Most of his operas and other music on a big scale is already wellnigh forgotten, and he is remembered almost solely by this one breezy and wholesome song.