Giuseppe Verdi

RIGOLETTO

October 8, 12, 14 & 16(m), 2022

Click to watch the 65th Anniversary Season trailer!

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.

Opening Night Post-Performance Party: All are invited to join us in the lobby following the opening night performance on October 8 for celebratory live entertainment, light hors d’oeuvres, and cash bars throughout the Winspear.

Get Tickets

Can’t make it to the Winspear? The final performance of Rigoletto on Sunday, October 16, at 2:00pm will be livestreamed on thedallasopera.TV (registration required). Pay-what-you’re-able with a minimum ticket price of $9.99. Tune in for exciting behind-the-scenes content and breathtaking performances—wherever you may be!

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. Host to be announced.

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!

Health & Safety Protocols:
Please allow extra time for the required magnetometer screening at the AT&T Performing Arts Center entrance. Weapons (including firearms and pocket knives) are not permitted. Face masks are strongly encouraged for all indoor performances, but not required. Please be respectful and courteous to others for their health and safety needs. Visit our Health and Safety page for more details.

The performance will be approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes including two intermissions.

Sung in Italian with English Titles Rated PG-13

October 8, 2022 8:00 pm		Get Tickets
October 12, 2022 7:30 pm		Get Tickets
October 14, 2022 7:30 pm		Get Tickets
October 16, 2022 2:00 pm		Get Tickets

Cast

René Barbera

The Duke of Mantua

George Gagnidze

Rigoletto

Madison Leonard

Gilda

Nicholas Newton

Count Monterone

Raymond Aceto

Sparafucile

Nadia Krasteva

Maddalena

Erik Earl Larson

Marullo

Julius Ahn

Matteo Borsa

Malcolm Payne Jr.

Count Ceprano

Alison Bolshoi

Giovanna

Jocelyn Hansen

Countess Ceprano

Courtney Maina

A Page

Armon Golliday

Usher

Creative Team

Conductor

Emmanuel Villaume

Director

Tomer Zvulun

Associate Director

Stephanie Havey

Set Designer

Erhard Rom

Costume Designer

Jessica Jahn

Lighting Designer

Robert Wierzel

Chorus Master

Alexander Rom

Wig and Make-Up Designer

David Zimmerman

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

Click here to listen to our Spotify Playlist.

2022/2023 Season Sponsor: Mary Anne Cree, in memory of Rosine Smith Sammons

Rigoletto is sponsored by Martha Peak Rochelle and is the Caroline Rose Hunt Mainstage Production

Linda and Mitch Hart Season Opening Night Performance: October 8, 2022

Cast

Creative Team

Sponsors