Rigoletto, Verdi's masterpiece of 1851, presents a magnificent, deeply moving characterization of a hunchbacked court jester consumed by bitterness and revenge.
Rigoletto & the Duke of Mantua at Chicago Lyric Opera Photo: Andrew Cioffi
Sunday 4 November at 6.00pm on RNZ Concert
There’s no character in opera more powerfully dramatic than the court jester Rigoletto, whose acid tongue and all-consuming desire for revenge lead to catastrophe for himself and his sweet, love-struck daughter Gilda.
Count Monterone's curse on Rigoletto initiates the drama of the opera.
Rigoletto & Gilda at Chicago Lyric Opera Photo: Andrew Cioffi
Gilda is seduced and later abandoned by the licentious Duke of Mantua.
Gilda & Duke of Mantua at Chicago Lyric Opera Photo: Andrew Cioffi
Sparafucile is the assassin hired by Rigoletto to murder the Duke.
Sparafucile at Chicago Lyric Opra Photo: Andrew Cioffi
Cast:
Matthew Polenzani (Duke of Mantua), Quinn Kelsey (Rigoletto), Rosa Feola (Gilda), Mario Rojas (Borsa), Takaoki Onishi (Marullo), Alan Higgs (Count Ceprano), Whitney Morrison (Countess Ceprano), Todd Thomas (Count Monterone), Alexander Tsymbalyuk (Sparafucile), Chorus and Orchestra of Chicago Lyric Opera conducted by Marco Armiliato
Recorded in Lyric Opera House, Chicago (WFMT)
