Rigoletto is a famous opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi. It is based on Victor Hugo's play "Le Roi s'amuse" and is considered one of Verdi's greatest masterpieces. The opera tells the tragic story of Rigoletto, the court jester for the Duke of Mantua. Rigoletto is a hunchback, known for his sharp wit and cynical nature. He is despised by the people of the court and resents his position, but he is fiercely protective of his daughter, Gilda. Rigoletto's curse is a major plot element in the opera.
Rigoletto's curse is a major plot element in the opera. The Duke of Mantua is a womanizer who takes pleasure in seducing and betraying women. Rigoletto is outraged when he learns that the Duke plans to seduce his virtuous daughter Gilda.
Press Release
(Los Angeles) April 24, 2018 — Plácido Domingo, LA Opera's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, has announced final details about the company's spring presentation of Rigoletto, the classic tragedy by Giuseppe Verdi.
"I can think of no opera that better demonstrates the power of deeply emotional music melded with incredibly gripping drama," said Mr. Domingo. "I have seen countless performances of this opera over the years and it remains a shattering emotional experience each time. Unusually for us, we have two different trios of international artists performing the principal roles, and I’m looking forward to experiencing each distinguished grouping."
Rigoletto will be presented from May 12 through June 3 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012).
About Rigoletto
An unforgettable tale of a father’s rage and a daughter’s shame, Rigoletto has long been one of the most popular works in the entire operatic repertoire. It features several of opera’s best-known arias—including Rigoletto’s passionate denouncement “Cortigiani, vil razza dannata,” Gilda’s dreamy “Caro nome” and the Duke’s instantly recognizable “La donna è mobile.” A timeless tragedy of sacrifice, betrayal and revenge, it was first performed in 1851, and was the first of the extraordinary “middle-period” trio of Verdi masterpieces that also includes La Traviata and Il Trovatore.
The Performers
The first three performances (May 12, 16, 19) will feature a cast led by Spaniard Juan Jesús Rodríguez, a distinguished Verdi baritone making his LA Opera debut. He is joined by two returning company favorites as Gilda and the Duke of Mantua—soprano Lisette Oropesa and tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz, both of them Operalia winners.
The later performances (May 27, 31; June 3) will feature the Rigoletto of Italian baritone Ambrogio Maestri, who made an unforgettable company debut last year as Scarpia in Tosca. Opposite him, last year’s top Operalia winner, soprano Adela Zaharia, makes her U.S. debut as Gilda, and tenor Michael Fabiano makes his company debut as the Duke of Mantua after his recent performance in the November concert celebrating Mr. Domingo's 50 years in Los Angeles.
The cast (for all performances) also includes bass Morris Robinson as Sparafucile, bass-baritone Craig Colclough as Count Monterone and mezzo-soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson in her company debut as Maddalena. Four members of LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program will be featured: soprano Liv Redpath as Countess Ceprano, tenor Joshua Wheeker as Borsa, baritone Juan Carlos Heredia as Marullo and mezzo-soprano Michelle Siemens as the Page. Contralto Sharmay Musacchio will perform the role of Giovanna and bass Gabriel Vamvulescu will perform the role of Count Ceprano.
The Creative Team
Matthew Aucoin, LA Opera's Artist in Residence, is the conductor of Rigoletto. Mr. Aucoin made his LA Opera mainstage conducting debut with Akhnaten last season, and he also conducted his own score for the classic film Nosferatu at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. He will conduct concert performances of his own opera, Crossing, at The Wallis on May 25 and 26.
The stage director is Mark Lamos, whose production was last presented by LA Opera in 2010. The striking scenery (designed by Michael Yeargan) and elaborate period costumes (designed by Constance Hoffman) were inspired by the unsettling, abandoned cityscapes and sun-swept landscapes of the Italian metaphysical painter Giorgio De Chirico (1888-1978), whose dreamlike works inspired such surrealist artists as Joan Miró, René Magritte and Salvador Dalí. Robert Wierzel makes his LA Opera debut as lighting designer. The chorus is directed by Grant Gershon.
Performance Dates and Times
There will be six performances of Rigoletto presented by LA Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012):
- Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 7:30pm
- Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at 7:30pm
- Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 7:30pm
- Sunday, May 27, 2018, at 2pm
- Thursday, May 31, 2018, at 7:30pm
- Sunday, June 3, 2018, at 2pm
Tickets
Tickets are on sale now. Tickets begin at $24 and can be purchased online at LAOpera.org, by phone at 213.972.8001, or in person at the LA Opera box office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012). For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or email [email protected].
For additional information about this presentation, visit LAOpera.org/Rigoletto.
Production made possible by generous support from
GRoW @ Annenberg
and
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco
With special thanks to LA Opera board member
Regina Weingarten
LA Opera is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the greater Los Angeles community.
Yamaha is the Official Piano of LA Opera.
LA Opera Media Contact:
Vanessa Flores Waite
Director of Communications
[email protected]
213.972.7554
Chacón-Cruz has received many honors and awards throughout the years. The most recent one being the “Moncayo Medal” in Jalisco, Mexico, he was also “GQ Man of the Year 2018” in Mexico. He was the “Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Emerging Star” of 2017 for the San Francisco Opera.
Rigoletto vows to seek revenge on the Duke for his actions, and his curse becomes a driving force throughout the opera. Despite Rigoletto's efforts to protect Gilda from the Duke, she falls in love with him and sacrifices herself to save him from a plot against his life. This tragic turn of events only intensifies Rigoletto's curse and fuels his desire for revenge. In the final act, Rigoletto is consumed by his anger and hires an assassin to kill the Duke. However, the plan backfires, and it is Gilda who dies instead. Rigoletto is left devastated by his daughter's death, and the curse he placed upon the Duke comes true, foreshadowing the tragic conclusion of the opera. "Rigoletto" showcases Verdi's masterful storytelling and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through music. The curse is a central theme in the opera, representing the destructive power of vengeance and the tragic consequences it can have on innocent lives. It serves as a reminder of the dark side of human nature and the importance of forgiveness and compassion..
Reviews for "Rigoletto's Curse: A Cautionary Tale of Power and Betrayal"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Rigoletto rhe curze". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the performances were lackluster. I had high expectations for this production, but it just didn't live up to them. The set design was also underwhelming and didn't enhance the story at all. Overall, I found it hard to enjoy and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Rigoletto rhe curze" was a complete waste of time and money. The singing was off-key, and many of the actors seemed disinterested in their roles. I couldn't connect with any of the characters or their emotions. The overall production felt amateur and poorly executed. I left the theater feeling extremely unsatisfied and would advise others to avoid this production.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had heard great things about "Rigoletto rhe curze", but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the story felt dragged out. I found it difficult to stay engaged throughout the performance. Additionally, the costumes and makeup seemed out of place and didn't add anything to the production. I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't choose to see it again.
4. John - 1/5 stars - "Rigoletto rhe curze" was a disaster from start to finish. The singing was flat, and the orchestra seemed out of sync. The acting was unconvincing, and the chemistry between the characters was nonexistent. I couldn't wait for it to be over and was incredibly disappointed. I wouldn't recommend this production to anyone who appreciates quality opera.