When Rigoletto, the hunchbacked court jester, sees his beloved daughter Gilda become prey for the lecherous Duke, a murderous plot unfolds that can only lead to a dramatic and heartbreaking climax. From its striking overture and rousing choral music, to arias like the breathtaking "Caro nome" and "La donna è mobile" which have become the very hallmark of Italian opera, Rigoletto is a favorite for the opera buff and the novice alike.
Three exciting Philadelphia debuts ring in the new season. Renowned English baritone Alan Opie, a seasoned Verdi voice who has sung leading roles with Royal Opera Covent Garden, Paris National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera, makes his Opera Company debut in the title role.
The role of his daughter is sung by Israeli-born soprano Chen Reiss, whom Opera News calls "… a stunning Gilda." Ms. Reiss has sung on stages from New York's Carnegie Hall to Milan's La Scala, and makes her Philadelphia debut this fall.
Completing the star trio is tenor Matthew Polenzani, who recently sang Romeo in Romeo and Juliet at Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as back-to-back Metropolitan Opera performances as Tamino in the family production of The Magic Flute and David in the March 2007 performances of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Polenzani makes his first Philadelphia appearance as the Duke, which is also a role debut for him.
Mezzo-soprano Kirstin Chávez (The Marriage of Figaro, '06) returns to sing the role of Maddalena, with bass Julian Rodescu (I Puritani, '95) as Sparafucile and bass Kirk Eichelberger in his Company debut as Monterone. A host of alumni artists and students from the Curtis Institute of Music appear in supporting roles: Dimitrie Lazich is Marullo; Allison Sanders is Giovanna; Dominic Armstrong as Borsa; DeAndre Simmons as Ceprano and Amanda Majeski as Countess Ceprano.
Director Robert B. Driver (La bohème, Falstaff) conceives this grand, new production, which is designed by Paul Shortt, whose previous OCP productions include La traviata, Falstaff and The Italian Girl in Algiers. The production is a new take on 16th-Century Mantua, aiming to use massive, multiple levels to convey the opulence and lavish excess of the aristocracy in stark contrast with the desperation of Rigoletto and the impoverished class. Maestro Corrado Rovaris, fresh from his performances at the Santa Fe Opera during the summer, conducts this production, which has been built at the Opera Company Production Center in the Tacony section of Philadelphia, and features lighting designed by Drew Billiau with costumes by Richard St. Clair.
The Opera Company of Philadelphia dedicates this production to the memory of Luciano Pavarotti, with deepest gratitude for all he shared with the Philadelphia community, and for his immeasurable contributions to the world of opera. -- www.operaphilly.com
