Organization

Opera Australia

New Zealand Opera

Conductor

James Judd

Singer

Tenor

Amitai Pati

The Duke of Mantua

Orchestra

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

Others

The New Zealand Opera Chorus

Stage director

Elijah Moshinsky

Lighting designer

Robert Bryan

Costume designer

Michael Yeargan

Set designer

Baritone

James Clayton

Rigoletto

Revival Stage Director

Shane Placentino

Instrumentalist

David Kelly

Principal répétiteur

Assistant Revival Stage Director

Matthew Kereama

Mezzo-soprano

Sian Sharp

Giovanna

Contralto

Maddalena

Sarah Mileham

The Countess of Ceprano

Bass

Jud Arthur

Sparafucile

James Harrison

The Count of Monterone

Joel Amosa

Marullo

Soprano

Elena Perroni

Gilda

Italian

Auckland

New Zealand

Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre

Rigoletto Verdi

Public

Andari Anggamulia

English

Approved

Against La Dolce Vita styling of 1950s Italy, court jester Rigoletto delights in making enemies of husbands and fathers while his boss, Duke of Mantua, is a callous playboy. (Yet somehow, it’s the duke who has the nerve to sing ‘La donna e mobile’ – women are fickle!)

Giuseppe Verdi’s opera, a smash hit since its debut, is brimming with crowd-pleasing melodies and lush orchestrations. ‘La donna e mobile’ is the hit but the composer preferred ‘Bella figlia dell’amore’, a sensuous depiction of the characters’ motives. “I never expect to do better,” Verdi said.

The jester finds it less funny when he’s cursed by a humiliated parent, and the duke meets Gilda, Rigoletto’s beautiful daughter.

Join NZ Opera, a star-studded cast and a Fiat Bambina as Verdi steps into uncharted artistic territory, balancing character, drama and music in a way that set new standards for Italian opera.

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Instrumentation

Crew

Ensemble

Co-Producer