Rigoletto was considered by its composer, Giuseppe Verdi, to be his finest opera.
It was an immediate hit after its premiere in 1851 and has since remained a favourite of audiences all over the world.
The tragic tale of misunderstanding, revenge and sacrifice (albeit common themes for many operas) is in the top ten most-performed operas and can be seen at the Halifax Victoria Theatre on Saturday, February 28.
This new production from the Russian State Ballet and Opera House is accompanied by a live orchestra of more than 30 musicians.
Rigoletto is set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave and is based on the Victor Hugo play Le Roi S’Amuse, which was highly controversial when it was first written in the early 1830s because it featured a King of France who was a womaniser. Even by the time Verdi decided to use it in Rigoletto he still ran the risk of upsetting the censors who objected to the subject matter of flawed royalty.
However, as Verdi was such an established composer and had a degree of freedom in his commissioned work, he persisted with the story of Le Roi S’Amuse and produced Rigoletto for La Fenice opera house in Venice.
The opera revolves around the character Rigoletto, a hunchbacked court jester, and his beautiful daughter Gilda, who has been hidden from the lascivious eyes of his employer, the Duke of Mantua. Rigoletto’s sarcastic comments and participation in the Duke’s escapades have won him enemies, including Count Monterone, who is furious that his daughter has been seduced by the Duke. What follows is a plot packed with mistaken identity, revenge and abduction, with a love story thrown in for good measure.
Alexej Ignatow, producer of the ballet and opera company, says that even if audience members get lost in the plot they can close their eyes and enjoy the beautiful music.
But he added: “We often get asked how you would encourage people who have never seen an opera before to come along for the first time. My instant reply is that you don’t need to be an expert in opera or music as we ensure that the set and costumes, and surtitles, make the production easy to follow.”
Rigoletto is a virtuoso opera and has one of the most difficult roles in the baritone repertoire, with the title character both a clown and sidekick as well as tender, protective father.
The Russian State Ballet and Opera House offers the chance to see and hear opera at smaller town venues around the regions. Its current UK tour of Rigoletto ends on March 7.
Tickets are from £25 to £34 from www.opera-tickets.co.uk
