Since its triumphant premiere in 1851, Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto has remained at the very heart of the operatic repertoire. The story revolves around Rigoletto, the court jester to the morally corrupt Duke of Mantua, who is tormented by the Duke's lecherous behaviour and vows to protect his daughter, Gilda. However, the Duke has already set his sights on the innocent girl, and Rigoletto unknowingly facilitates the seduction, with devastating consequences. 

Renowned for its powerful arias, including Gilda’s exquisite idealisation of her new lover in Caro nome, and the Duke’s carefree La donna è mobile reflecting on the fickle nature of women, we are offered two deeply contrasting perspectives on love and relationships. 

As we follow Rigoletto’s internal struggle, we witness a tragedy which captures the complexities of love, betrayal and sacrifice, the corrupting influence of power, and the very nature of revenge.

Conductor Oliver Gooch
Director Nina Brazier
Designer  Elliott Squire
Lighting Designer Luca Panetta

With the Bristol Ensemble

Cast

RIGOLETTO Alexey Gusev

GILDA Inna Husieva

DUKE OF MANTUA Andrés Presno

SPARAFUCILE Ronald Nairne

MADDALENA Alyona Abramova

GIOVANNA Gráinne Gillis

COUNT CEPRANO Kieran Rayner

COUNTESS CEPRANO Katie Rylands

BORSA Robin Bailey

COUNT MONTERONE Thomas D Hopkinson

MARULLO Matthew Siveter

PAGE Susie Buckle