Verdi's Rigoletto by MN Opera at the Ordway

Rigoletto, an opera by Giuseppe Verdi, premiered in 1851. According to the dramaturg of this MN opera production, David Sander, this opera is important in the growth of Verdi as a composer. In this work he begins to focus on scenes instead of arias and recitatives. What this means to the audience is simply that you are in for a night of magnificent music and beautiful singing.

photo: Cory Weaver

The story is set in Mantua. The Duke in charge is a womanizer who is willing to do anything for his pleasure. The court willingly turns a blind eye so that they can stay in his favor. It sounds very familiar to certain political situations currently... at least to me. In this setting is Rigoletto, the court jester. He mocks those in court all for the pleasure of the Duke, and the other courtiers. He especially mocks those who are trying to protect their family from the wiles of the Duke. Rigoletto is also willing to do almost anything to keep the Duke happy, and to keep his job and his position. Rigoletto has a daughter that he protects at all costs from his life, and from the Duke. He does this by keeping her out of the public eye, keeping her at home and not telling her much about her mother or about himself  - to the point that she doesn't even know his given name... only as her father. The one place that she is allowed to go is Church, and unlucky for both of them the Duke also goes to Church. Members of the court find out about Rigoletto's daughter Gilda and think that she is his mistress. They do what they can to steal her away for the pleasure of the Duke. Being an opera, there is love, death, mistaken identities, a curse, and a dark and stormy night.

photo: Cory Weaver

Traditionally Rigoletto is played as a hunchback with a bad leg. This production makes a few changes to tradition, and I think it is for the better. Mantua is a totalitarian country under the absolute rule of the Duke. The set is very dark, dark walls, floor, dark two story back wall with doors on the bottom, and what seems to be a viewing station on the top. This allows for guards and others to watch the action, and even when they weren't visible, I got the sense that someone was always watching. This darkness and constant watch is set up in the first few moments of the opera (during the overture) when Rigoletto and his daughter are stopped crossing the stage by two guards. Later there is a scene on the street where there is a wall of cameras - always being watched. This constant watch was implied throughout the opera. From the opening scene in the Dukes public chambers where there are three big paintings of him looking down at the action, to the street scene with the cameras, to the interior bedroom scene of Rigoletto's house and Gilda's bedroom. Her bedroom is decorated with angel statues that are lit - creating a holy space, but also the angels are constantly watching. The second act takes place in the Dukes chambers and again - a large painting of the Duke is there. The final act has a few locations but all of them visible from the viewing station. It was an oppressive set that really worked well with the story.

Rigoletto is played by the incredible Olafur Sigurdarson, and he wears a brace on his leg through out, along with using a cane. The initial impression I received was that Rigoletto was a disabled vet who can't find work besides being a jester and a joker for the Duke. This would certainly be cause for the anger that is evident in how mean spirited his jokes are, and his anger towards the Duke and the court. On the other side, you get nothing but love, compassion, care and concern in his scenes with his daughter Gilda. While his desire to protect her may be a bit oppressive you can see and hear that it comes from a good place.

photo: Cory Weaver

Gilda is played by the amazing Marie-Eve Munger. Gilda's love for her father was evident, along with a desire for something more. When a student (the handsome boy from church that Gilda has noticed, and who has noticed her) somehow gets into her house - you can clearly tell that she is scared but excited as well. And after their amazing love duet, Gilda has one of the best known soprano arias "Caro Nome." While I may only be a fan of opera and singing, what I heard during this aria was pure joy and a stunning voice. I was at the Social Media night and tweeted from the back row "I'm a huge Callas fan and never have I heard such a sweet and moving 'Caro Nome.'" Her last note, sustained as she walks off stage and hearing it continue and linger... stunning.

The opera is mainly four characters - Rigoletto, Gilda, the Duke, and Sparafucile (an knife-for-hire we meet on the street). However Verdi has written this work in such a way that the chorus (mainly male) is a who other character. They are the ones who decide to steal Gilda, and vocally the male chorus was fantastic. Such a great rich sound, and so full of emotion, yet the diction was there - something difficult to do with 10-20 singers. I was also very taken by the Duke played by Joshua Dennis. Vocally he was a joy to listen to. He also had a moment of sustaining a note while exiting - during the reprise of "la donna é mobile" (probably the best known aria from this opera). What I was most taken with however was when it is revealed (spoiler alert) that the Duke was actually the student. The characters were played so differently that I thought they were two different actors. Even hearing him sing with Gilda - he came across as someone totally new. A great performance to be sure.

photo: Cory Weaver

While Rigoletto has some issues (looking from our modern time there is an alarming lack of consent being shown from the "dude-bros" of the court), musically it stands up. It is clear why this is a classic and continues to be performed. The production was dark, yet had some moments of humor and there was a lot of love on that stage. It was my first time being in the back row for Social Media night and while I love the occasion of opening night, I do love being in the room while the orchestra is getting notes after each act, and being allowed to watch and hear the "backstage" process. So much fun. Check out MN Operas website for more info and ticket details.