Cast of Rigoletto. Photo by David Cooper.

I saw the final performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Rigoletto and it was terrific! Directed by Glynis Leyshon this was the highlight of the season for me. Rigoletto was played by Grant Youngblood, and he and his daughter Gilda (Sarah Dufresne) were the standout performers of the night. The villain of the piece is the Duke of Mantua, who was played with gusto by Matthew Pearce. The opera premiered in Venice in 1851, and has proved its popularity over time. The singing is glorious, and I was very moved by the father/daughter dynamics throughout. Leyshon directs the opera with flair, and although I didn’t much care for the shift to London (why London?), she keeps the action moving smoothly throughout. I also wasn’t too fond of the costumes, designed by Pam Johnson, as I found them too contemporary for the period. The lighting was excellent, though, done by Gerald King. The set was a bit confusing due to the shift to London, but had some good features. It was designed by James Rotondo. It is very sad to see Rigoletto’s daughter Gilda sacrifice herself for love, although that is all too common in opera, right?

The opera was well-supported with its chorus, directed by Giuseppe Pietraroia, who was also Assistant Conductor. I really loved this one! Closed.

Next season at Pacific Opera Victoria includes Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw in October, followed by Puccini’s Tosca in February, and the season closes with Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice in April. Another great season to look forward to!