Details

Rigoletto, the hunchbacked court jester wants revenge. His beloved daughter, Gilda, has been abducted and seduced by the Duke and he hires a hit-man to assassinate him. Tragedy prevails in Verdi's masterpiece of love, lust and betrayal. Based on Hugo's Le roi s'amuse. First performed at La Fenice in Venice on 11 March 1851 Supported (2001) by The Jean Sainsbury Fund, the Benefactors' Circle and The Friends of Covent Garden.

Cast/Performers

Carlos Alvarez (Rigoletto), Ramon Vargas (Duke of Mantua), Patricia Ciofi (Gilda), Eric Halfverson (Sparafucile - some dates), Kurt Rydl (Sparafucile - some dates), Leah-Marian Jones (Maddalena), Elizabeth Sikora (Giovanna), Graeme Broadbent (Count Ceprano), Peter Wedd (Borsa), Grant Doyle (Marullo), Darren Jeffery (Monterone)

Creatives/Company

Music: Verdi
Lyrics: Francesco Maria Piave
Book by: Victor Hugo
Company: Royal Opera
Director: David McVicar
Conductor: Maurizio Benini
Design: Michael Vale
Costume: Tanya McCallin
Lighting: Paule Constable
Choreographer: Leah Hausman