Treachery, seduction, and a raging father dead set on revenge. Rigoletto—he’s the jaded jester paid to make others laugh in the debauched court of Mantua. But when his innocent daughter is cruelly seduced by the salacious Duke, Rigoletto stops being funny and vows revenge. Seething with rage, he launches an elaborate plot to avenge his beloved child. But everything goes terribly, terribly wrong…Experience Verdi at his most dramatically potent, with melody after irresistible melody sung by our incredible cast.
One of the world’s great Rigolettos, George Gagnidze “is a force of destructive nature” (Los Angeles Times)—tenor René Barbera will thrill with the Duke’s iconic “La donna è mobile”— and Madison Leonard’s “silvery ethereal sound” (Opera Magazine) makes her the perfect Gilda.
Music Director Emmanuel Villaume conducts this Dallas Opera co-production with Houston Grand Opera and The Atlanta Opera. See full cast.
Read the Program Book!
Rigoletto is a Co-Production of The Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and The Atlanta Opera
Scenery originally created for Wolf Trap Opera
Show Details
Language
Sung in Italian with English Titles
Running Time
The performance will be approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes including two intermissions.
Rating
Rated PG-13
Cast
George Gagnidze
RigolettoRené Barbera
The Duke of MantuaMadison Leonard
GildaNicholas Newton
Count MonteroneRaymond Aceto
SparafucileNadia Krasteva
MaddalenaErik Earl Larson
MarulloJulius Ahn
Matteo BorsaMalcolm Payne Jr.
Count CepranoAlison Bolshoi
GiovannaJocelyn Hansen
Countess CepranoCourtney Maina
A PageArmon Golliday
UsherCreative Team
Emmanuel Villaume
ConductorTomer Zvulun
DirectorStephanie Havey
Associate DirectorErhard Rom
Set DesignerJessica Jahn
Costume DesignerRobert Wierzel
Lighting DesignerAlexander Rom
Chorus MasterDavid Zimmerman
Wig and Make-Up DesignerSynopsis
ACT I
At the ducal court of Mantua, a ball is in progress. The licentious Duke of Mantua openly pursues Countess Ceprano, much to her husband’s mortification. Further humiliated by the duke’s jester, Rigoletto, the furious Count Ceprano enlists the help of the courtiers in exacting revenge upon Rigoletto. They need no encouragement, for Rigoletto has many enemies. He has been seen in the company of a young woman, and in this his enemies recognize an opportunity for reprisal. Count Monterone arrives, demanding revenge upon the Duke, who has dishonored his daughter. Rigoletto cruelly mocks him, and Monterone curses both the Duke and his jester.
Later that night, Rigoletto agonizes over the curse. The assassin Sparafucile approaches him, cryptically offering to rid the tormented jester of his rival. Unnerved, Rigoletto turns down the offer and sends Sparafucile away.
Rigoletto returns home to his daughter Gilda, whom he keeps hidden from the world, only allowing her out to attend church. She does not know her father’s position in the court and doesn’t even know his name. The spying Duke overhears their conversation and is surprised to learn that the girl he admired in church and followed home is his own jester’s daughter. As soon as Rigoletto leaves, the Duke, posing as a poor student named Gualtier Maldè, charms Gilda. Their meeting is cut short by noises from the street, and Gilda, fearing the return of her father, sends the Duke away. Gilda sings dreamily of her student lover while the courtiers gather outside to abduct the woman they presume to be Rigoletto’s mistress. When Rigoletto returns, the courtiers fool him into thinking they are abducting Countess Ceprano and ask for his help. Rigoletto discovers too late that he has helped the courtiers kidnap his own Gilda. He blames Monterone’s curse.
ACT II
At the palace, the Duke laments Gilda’s sudden disappearance, until the courtiers bring news that they have abducted Rigoletto’s mistress for his pleasure. Elated, the Duke cannot wait to reveal his true identity to Gilda. Rigoletto enters, searching for his daughter, only to learn that she is with the Duke in his chambers. He demands, entreats, and finally begs the courtiers to have pity. A disheveled Gilda suddenly appears and rushes into her father’s arms. Rigoletto is devastated and furiously rebuffs her pleas that he forgive the Duke. Monterone appears, bemoaning the ineffectiveness of his curse, while Rigoletto swears vengeance on the Duke.
ACT III
On a stormy night, Rigoletto drags Gilda to a remote inn owned by the assassin Sparafucile. He forces her to watch as the Duke seduces Sparafucile’s sister, Maddalena. Rigoletto sends the heartbroken Gilda away, and then hires Sparafucile to kill the Duke. Maddalena, however, has taken a fancy to the Duke and begs her brother to spare him; Sparafucile agrees, provided that another victim can be found. Gilda, who has returned in disguise, resolves to sacrifice herself to save the Duke’s life.
Rigoletto returns at midnight as arranged. Sparafucile gives him a sack containing the body and disappears. When Rigoletto hears the Duke singing in the distance, he realizes he has been duped. Ripping open the sack, he discovers Gilda, who begs for forgiveness with her last breath. Monterone’s curse has been fulfilled.
Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera
TDO Connections™
TDO Connections™ is The Dallas Opera’s intentional process for human-centered, operatic storytelling.
Watch the Women in Leadership and Creativity panel discussion that was recorded live on September 24, 2022. Celebrating and empowering women is a continuous effort in many fields, and opera is no exception. The opening TDO Connections™ panel presents a dynamic discussion about the leadership, creativity, and representation of women in business, education, and the arts. Jin-Ya Huang, CEO and Founder of Break Bread Break Borders, Audra Scott, Soprano and Head of Vocal Studies at Booker T. High School for Performing and Visual Arts, and Stephanie Havey, Associate Director for Rigoletto, speak truth to the historical and current representation of women and ways to continue our commitment to celebrating and empowering women in all spaces. The discussion is co-hosted by Quodesia D. Johnson and Kristian Roberts, and is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Watch now!
Pre- and Post-Opera Discussions
Join us for these engaging and informative pre- and post-opera discussions:
Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk: Hosted by Hank Hammett, Director of Opera at Meadows School of the Arts (SMU), this interactive 30-minute lecture begins one hour before the start of each opera in the Margaret McDermott Performance Hall. Admission is free with your ticket to a Dallas Opera performance. Note: There is no Pre-Opera Talk on Opening Night, October 8, 2022.
Sunday Post-Opera Talkback: Immediately following the Sunday matinee performance from the stage, this brief and casual Q&A session with members of the cast gives you an opportunity to ask questions about the performance. Hosted by Ian Derrer, The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO at The Dallas Opera.
Media
Rigoletto Synopsis
Our celebrated cast including René Barbera, Nicholas Newton and Madison Leonard make sure you’re fresh on the synopsis of Verdi’s ‘Rigoletto’ before you come see us at the Winspear.
Click here to listen to our Spotify Playlist.
Read the Program Book! Text “TDO” to 55741 and access Rigoletto’s digital program book. Read the synopsis, cast details, and learn more about the production.
Sponsors
Mary Anne Cree, in memory of Rosine Smith Sammons
2022/2023 Season Sponsor