Giuseppe Verdi composed his opera 'Rigoletto' in 1851 and together with 'La Traviata' (1853) and 'Il Trovatore' (1853) it belongs to the top of his middle period of composing. The aria 'Caro nome' is sung by Gilda in the 2nd scene of the 1st act: Gilda meditates on her love for the Duke, whom she believes is a student: 'Gualtier Maldè!... Caro nome' ('Dearest name').