Rigoletto from Giuseppe Verdi

Watch this opera live on March 23rd. Tickets available now!

RIGOLETTO, an intense drama of passion, betrayal and revenge, based on the play “Le Roi s'Amuse” by French poet and playwright Victor Hugo, was one of Giuseppe VERDI’s major triumphs. Conducted by Paolo Arrivabeni and directed by Philippe SIREUIL, the opera is performed by an amazing international cast with stars like Mark RUCKER, Cinzia FORTE, Luciano MONTANARO, Helen LEPALAAN and many more. The roles of Giovanna and Count Ceprano are sung by two members of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie’s own choir.

During a ball at his Palace, the Duke of Mantua clearly shows his interest in Countess Ceprano, while the court jester, Rigoletto, makes fun of her husband. Meanwhile Marullo informs the other courtiers that Rigoletto has a mistress. Later Rigoletto mocks Count Monterone, whose daughter the duke has dishonored. Monterone curses the Duke and Rigoletto.

Rigoletto goes home and warns his daughter Gilda, who has fallen in love with a student she met at church. The student is actually the Duke. After Rigoletto leaves home, the courtiers abduct Gilda, thinking she is Rigoletto’s mistress, in order to take her to the Duke. They trick Rigoletto into helping them by saying it is the Countess Ceprano. After realizing what really happened, Rigoletto remembers the curse.

The Courtiers bring Gilda to the Duke’s palace. Searching his daughter, Rigoletto enters the palace. When Gilda tells him what happened, Rigoletto swears vengeance on the duke.

Rigoletto and Gilda arrive at the house of Sparafucile, whom Rigoletto paid to kill the Duke. The Duke is there talking to Maddalena, Sparafucile’s sister. Maddalena begs her brother not to kill the Duke. Sparafucile refuses at first, but agrees to murder anyone else who comes through the door. Seeing a chance to save the man she loves, Gilda enters. She is murdered and stuffed in a sack for Rigoletto. When Rigoletto wants to throw the sack in the river, he hears the Duke singing. He opens the sack and finds his dying daughter. Monterone’s curse has been fulfilled.