Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901) stands as one of the most performed composers in the operatic repertoire, and for good reason. His gift for crafting melodies that lodge themselves in the listener's ear made him a central figure in 19th century Italian opera, and his influence extends far beyond his own era.
Rigoletto, from which "La Donna E Mobile" comes, premiered in 1851 and remains one of Verdi's most frequently staged works. The opera's drama, humor, and musical invention showcase the composer at his most inventive. This particular aria has become iconic precisely because of its infectious, memorable tune and the brilliant characterization it provides for the Duke of Mantua.