In 1850, Verdi was commissioned to write a brand-new opera for La Fenice in Venice. The purity of the flute is associated with Gilda, and there is a theme for the curse which first appears in the dark prelude – it’s all on one repeated note, suggesting its obsessional hold on Rigoletto… The melody is not always in the vocal line, but in the orchestra, and he uses certain instruments and musical figures for different characters and ideas. Overall in Rigoletto, however, Verdi moves away from the traditional stop-start structure of Italian opera into more free-flowing, continuous drama. ![]() And the syllables of the opening phrase are broken up by rests, as if Gilda is reeling and trying to catch her breath. Her aria ‘ Caro nome’, a musing on the name of the man she has fallen in love with, is technically virtuosic and very exposed, but the melody floats and dances. While Verdi cleverly wrote some of his most charming music for the Duke, Gilda’s music is sublimely beautiful. Rigoletto’s most famous number is ‘ La donna è mobile’ (which translates as ‘Women are fickle’)! Sung by the massively misogynistic Duke in Act III, it’s devilishly catchy. ![]() There are a host of contemporary cultural references – a reflection of our own lives – from a painting of Gilda inspired by the work of Nigerian-American painter Kehinde Wiley, to nods to various Netflix shows! Homage is also paid to iconic African symbols of peace in Gilda’s safehouse. These characters are aware of the power and impact of the curse, and their response is infectious.” Rigoletto, Gilda, Monterone, Marullo and the Countess Ceprano, will be sung by people of colour. “I want this moment to resonate for the characters who, because of their ethnicity, are familiar with the ‘curse phenomenon’. In this context, Monterone’s curse is even more significant: Rather than having a physical disability, Rigoletto’s impairment is mental – he is plagued by the paranoia of a Black man in a predominantly white world, and his mind is constantly working against him. This new production (Opera North’s first Rigoletto in 15 years!) is directed by British-Nigerian theatre artist Femi Elufowoju jr, and depicts the society he was born into, and continues to live in, as a Black man. However, the plan goes terribly wrong, and we see Monterone’s curse come to pass in a devastating way… On discovering that the Duke has got his hands on Gilda, Rigoletto is distraught, and approaches the assassin Sparafucile to help him wreak his revenge. Later that night, Gilda is abducted and delivered, much to the Duke’s delight, to his bedroom! Even so, she has managed to fall in love with a mystery man she has seen (who turns out, of course, to be the Duke). ![]() In retaliation, Monterone places a curse on Rigoletto.īack at Rigoletto’s safehouse, we meet his beloved daughter Gilda, whom he fiercely protects. His jester Rigoletto – who is despised for being different – mocks all the guests, including a statesman, Monterone, who is furious that his daughter has been molested by the Duke. We begin at the Duke’s party, during which he mentions having his eye on a mystery beauty. The opera is set in the world of the Duke of Mantua – a morally corrupt, womanising ruler. All you need to know about Verdi’s heartbreaking drama – right here… What is the story?
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