The Sofia Opera presents "Rigoletto" by Giuseppe Verdi on 19 February with the participation of distinguished guests, the Opera announced.

 
The Romanian baritone Yonutz Pasku will take the stage as Rigoletto,

 
Giuseppe Infantino, a graduate of Raina Kabaivanska – as the Duke of Mantua,

 
and Stanislava Momekova – in the image of Gilda.


GianPaolo Mazzoli will conduct the orchestra and chorus of the Sofia Opera in Plamen Kartaloff's production.

THE STORY

Strong love and cruel revenge collide in one of the most frequently performed operas in the world. "Rigoletto" is the first work in Verdi's famous trilogy, which also includes "Il trovatore" and "La traviata". Verdi composed "Rigoletto" based on Victor Hugo's famous drama "Le roi s’amuse". The score was completed quickly, but due to censorship issues at the time, the premiere was delayed. According to critics, in "Rigoletto" the composer builds one of the most perfect images in his oeuvre. The sarcastic hunchbacked court jester is a loving father of Gilda and takes devoted care to protect his daughter from the evils of the world around her.

THE PREMIERE

The first performance of "Rigoletto" was in Venice on 11 March 1853.  The success was enormous. After the premiere, Victor Hugo exclaimed that he wished his characters could speak four at a time, too, and at the same time you can understand what each of them is saying, referring to the famous quartet in Act III.

The composer himself says, "I will never write anything better!" In "Rigoletto" sounds also one of the most famous tenor arias – La donna e mobile.

https://www.bta.bg/bg/news/bulgaria/407441-sofiyskata-opera-predstavya-rigoleto-ot-dzhuzepe-verdi-na-19-fevruari-s-uchast