Overview
Synopsis
A tragic tale, the story of Rigoletto revolves around the libertine Duke of Mantua and his hunchbacked Court Jester, Rigoletto, whose beautiful daughter, Gilda, falls prey to a dreadful curse. Rigoletto, fearing for his daughter’s safety, has kept her hidden away. Unbeknownst to Rigoletto, Gilda has fallen in love with the Duke who disguised himself as a poor student. The Duke’s entourage kidnaps Gilda, thinking that she is Rigoletto’s mistress, and it is revealed that she is Rigoletto’s daughter. Seduced and shamed, Gilda returns home with her father. Determined to show the Duke’s true debauchery, he brings Gilda to a tavern to see the Duke seducing another woman. Gilda vows that she still loves him and Rigoletto sends her home. Meanwhile, Rigoletto has hired an assassin to kill the Duke, but Gilda, in attempt to save the Duke, is stabbed instead. Rigoletto, thinking he has the body of the Duke, finds Gilda near death, asking for forgiveness. Rigoletto is haunted by the curse.
Show Information
- Music
- Giuseppe Verdi
- Libretto
- Francesco Maria Piave
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1851
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- mantua, italy in the 16th century
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Based on the drama Le roi s’amuse by Victor Hugo, Verdi’s inspiration for his work Rigoletto began in 1849, just a few years before the opera’s premiere. The piece fit perfectly within Verdi’s passion for romantic stories written by famous foreign authors such as Hugo. Verdi, himself, said that he looked for “strong” situations in which his characters are faced with dramatic crises, and Rigoletto fit right into the mold. At this point in his career, Verdi and librettist Francesco Piave
to read the context for Rigoletto and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
At a party at his Court, the Duke of Mantua is entertaining his guests and looking for a new conquest. The Duke sings about his womanizing ways, stating that it does not matter which one he has (“Questa o Quella”). The Duke seduces Countess Ceprano, in front of the Count, and the entire court. Rigoletto, the court jester, mocks the Count for being a cuckold in front of the other courtiers. The Duke returns, cavalier at having shamed the Countess. Count Monterone enters in a
to read the plot for Rigoletto and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Mezzo-Soprano |
Songs
**Act One **
- Preludio, Introduzione e Ballata: Della mia bella- Questa o quella per me pari sono (Duca, Borsa, Contessa di Ceprano, Rigoletto, Marullo, Monterone, Coro)
- Duetto: Quel vecchio maledivami! (Rigoletto, Sparafucile)
- Scena e Duetto: Pari siamo! -Figlia!... Mio padre!... (Rigoletto, Gilda)
- Scena e Duetto: Giovanna?.. Ho dei rimorsi - Signor né principe (Gilda, Giovanna, Duca)
- Scena ed Aria: Gualtier Maldè!.. - Caro nome che il mio cor (Gilda)
- Scena e Coro- Finale I: Riedo!.. perché? - Zitti, zitti, moviamo a vendetta (Rigoletto, Borsa, Ceprano, Marullo, Gilda, Coro)
Act Two
- Scena ed Aria: Ella mi fu rapita! -Parmi veder le lagrime (Duca, Borsa, Marullo, Ceprano, Coro)
- Scena ed Aria: Povero Rigoletto! -Cortigiani, vil razza dannata (Marullo, Rigoletto, Ceprano, Borsa, Paggio, Coro)
- Scena e Duetto: Mio padre! -Tutte le feste al tempio (Gilda, Rigoletto, Borsa, Marullo, Ceprano, Coro)
Act Three
- Preludio, Scena e Canzone: E l’ami? -La donna è mobile (Rigoletto, Gilda, Duca, Sparafucile)
- Quartetto: Un dì, se ben rammentomi (Duca, Gilda, Maddalena, Rigoletto)
- Scena, Terzetto e Tempesta: M’odi!.. ritorna a casa.. -Somiglia un Apollo quel giovine (Rigoletto, Gilda, Sparafucile, Maddalena, Duca, Coro)
- Scena e Duetto Finale: Della vendetta alfin -V’ho ingannato...colpevole fui (Rigoletto, Sparafucile, Duca, Gilda)
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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