Major Arcana: Justice
This piece is back from late April 2019 and features one of the most explosive baritone arias from my favorite opera Rigoletto by Verdi. In this scene, "Cortigiani, vil razza," Rigoletto is certain his daughter is being held hostage by his employer the Duke and his courtiers who encourage the Duke's lecherous behavior, and he demands her release. The courtiers do not take Rigoletto's demands seriously and the aria changes from explosive fire, anger, and threats of physical violence to Rigoletto on his knees begging for even a scrap of empathy. It is one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have ever experienced, how in one moment this character is filled with righteous anger, and in the next is begging to be seen as a human being.
The most influential recording on me has been the one with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in the role of Rigoletto, with Rennata Scotto as Gilda and Carlo Bergonzi as the Duke. At the moment of posting, that whole recording is available to listen to here.
I also really love Sherrill Milnes as Rigoletto; he always brings a majesty and heartbreaking quality to his work. Here he is singing the aria that this card depicts.
