2017-2018
Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège
In Mantua in the 16th century, the hunchback Rigoletto is the jester of a morally depraved duke. Detested at the court for his duplicity, he has another hidden side to him, specifically that of a loving father concealing the existence of his daughter Gilda. When the aristocrats discover her existence, they hand her over to the Duke as a form of vengeance. The enraged hunchback plans to assassinate the duke…
The first part of Verdi’s popular trilogy, Rigoletto was initially completely rejected by Venetian censors who obliged the librettist and composer to completely revise their work. Nevertheless, this impassioned master-piece in which hate, violence, love, curses and vengeance rub shoulders, contains sublime music that inaugurated a new style combining theatrical realism and melodic appeal. The duke’s famous aria, La Donna è mobile, is only the tip of the iceberg. Aware of the appeal of his tune and to avoid plagiarism, Verdi forbade his singers from humming it outside the theatre…
Its immense success on its first performance in 1851, which has never declined, makes Rigoletto one of the essential operas in musical history… to be watched again and again, without moderation!
This is an unmissable and irresistible performance for the end of year festivities!