Rigoletto is one of Guiseppe Verdi’s most popular operas. Composed in just forty days in 1851, it was based on Victor Hugo’s play, The Fool’s Revenge. It was Verdi’s first masterpiece and he considered it his “best opera.”

 

Not known by anyone in the court, Rigoletto has a daughter Gilda (Sarah Coburn) who he keeps under lock and key because he fears for her safety. But Gilda does attend church every Sunday and has noticed a man who seems to have his eye on her. Gilda meets the man who ravishes his love and affection on her and she falls in love with him. He claims to be a student, but unfortunately, he is the roguish Duke who, once again, is up to his usual tricks. This time, however, he thinks he might really be in love. But, as events pass, once a scoundrel, always a scoundrel, and tragedy befalls Rigoletto because of his revenge against the Duke.

Verdi’s beautiful music is enhanced by the wonderful voices of the entire cast and by the LA Opera Orchestra skillfully directed by James Conlon. The brilliant voice of Terranova singing the well-known aria La donna e mobile, the clear radiant soprano voice of Coburn singing the equally famous Caro nome che il mio cor, and the glorious duet between Coburn and Gagnidze all made for a memorable production.

Directed by Mark Lamos, other cast members include Daniel Sumegi (Count Monterone), Andrea Silvestrelli (Sparafucile) and Kendal Gladen (Maddalena). Rigoletto will be performed December 5, and December 18, 2010, at 2 p.m., December 8, December 11 2010, and December 15, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the Music Center, 135, N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

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