The Live Cinema Series continues with a screening of the current production of Rigoletto by The Royal Opera on Wednesday, February 7 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in London and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.
The corruption of innocence is at the heart of Giuseppe Verdi’s potent tragedy in David McVicar’s production for The Royal Opera.
The opera’s story follows Rigoletto, the hunchbacked court jester to the libertine Duke of Mantua, who is cursed by the father of one of the Duke’s latest conquests for his mocking laughter. When the Duke turns his attention to Rigoletto’s own daughter Gilda, it seems the curse is taking effect, and the jester must plot to protect her from the Duke’s immoral intent.
David McVicar’s production highlights the cruelty at the heart of the court of Mantua. Richly dressed courtiers engage in orgies and revelries to Verdi’s heady, spirited dances. The opera’s many musical highlights include the ebullient “La donna è mobile”, in which the Duke boasts of his disregard for women; Gilda’s exquisite, plangent duets with Rigoletto and the Duke; and the gorgeous Act III quartet that beautifully weaves the voices together as the story quickens to its shattering conclusion.
Alexander Joel conducts a cast led by Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias in the title role and featuring American tenor Michael Fabiano as the Duke of Mantua, alongside English soprano Lucy Crowe as Gilda.
Giuseppe Verdi wrote in 1855 that Rigoletto was his “best opera”. He had to overcome state censorship to stage it – the censors objected to its depiction of an immoral ruler – but he was vindicated by the premiere’s huge success in 1851. Rigoletto was performed 250 times in the next 10 years and has remained one of the most popular of all operas.
This screening runs approximately 2 hours 45 minutes including one interval and an onscreen introduction. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase.
NOTE: Rigoletto is sung in Italian with English surtitles. Contains some nudity and scenes of a sexual nature. Recommended for ages 18 and up.
Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students/Youth) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. RSVP on Facebook
Special limited time offer: Purchase tickets to all twelve 2018 Live Cinema Series screenings together and save 33%!
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The 2018 Live Cinema Series is sponsored by Shakespeare Walla Walla, a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that aims to make Shakespeare and theater approachable and entertaining to students in eastern Washington and Oregon.
