Bare Boards Opera presents an intense chamber production of Giuseppi Verdi’s thrilling tragedy at the Waterside in an accessible and theatrically dynamic performance, bringing out the personal drama of the undeniably dark story and its’ ill-fated characters.
The abusive Duke, a man of considerable power, has an insatiable appetite for parties and for women, with a reputation for loving them and leaving them. Rigoletto, a buffoon in his employment, procures a string of beauties for the Duke, whilst trying to keep his own innocent daughter, Gilda, away from the debauchery. Inevitably, the Duke encounters Gilda, and events go breathlessly from bad to worse.
The piece is filled with instantly recognisable melodies, including the showstopping ‘La donna e mobile’; the painfully ironic aria about the infidelity of women; and the celebrated Quartet. From the opening glowering overture, the drama of the opera gathers momentum until the inevitable heartbreaking finale. This is a perfect and relevant production for anyone curious about discovering the raw power of opera.
Bare Boards Opera is a new company dedicated to introducing the drama of opera to a new audience. The opera will be sung in Italian, with English surtitles.
