Opera Australia Revives Moshinsky’s ‘Rigoletto’
Opera Australia is reviving Elijah Moshinsky’s classic interpretation of Verdi’s Rigoletto this winter. This popular interpretation is ritzy, sensual and bursting with colour; its characters are unconventional and its music is unforgettable in a story that is as much about obsession as it is about love.
Elijah Moshinsky’s resplendent vision embraces the full glamour of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita with sumptuous costumes and an elaborate revolving set. This season, conductor Renato Palumbo returns to Sydney after his acclaimed performances of La Traviata in summer 2017, to lead a magnificent cast of local and international singers. Slovak baritone Dalibor Jenis brings his stage presence to debut in the title role. He is joined by Italian tenor Gianluca Terranova, returning to the role of Duke of Mantua to sing one of the most recognisable opera arias, La donna è mobile. Russian soprano Irina Lungu will be making her OA debut as Gilda.
They will be complemented by some of Australia’s finest singers including mezzo-soprano Sian Pendry, Luke Gabbedy, Benjamin Rasheed, Gennadi Dubinsky, Christopher Hillier and Dominica Matthews. Verdi’s Rigoletto is a story of jealousy and revenge, where secrets are weapons and loved ones are hidden away. One of the most menacing characters to grace the Opera House stage, Rigoletto is both compelling and repulsive. Verdi’s lush music plays out against the backdrop of opulent interiors designed by Michael Yeargan, with a chorus of gangsters and their ladies.
Based on a Victor Hugo play, this three-act opera was first performed in Venice in 1851 and is widely thought to be the first of the operatic masterpieces of Verdi’s mid-to-late career. The original opening night was such a triumph that the aria La donna è mobile (Woman is fickle) – was sung in the streets the next morning. Rigoletto remains one of the most performed operas in the world today.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
Tickets: Adult tickets from $46 (fees may apply) Group and concession prices available for most performances. Student Rush available for most performances: $50 (fees may apply)
Bookings: Opera Australia Box Office (02) 9318 8200 or www.opera.org.au
