Rigoletto
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
ACT I
At a palace party, the Duke of Mantua speaks of a young woman he saw at church, but soon turns his attention to seducing Countess Ceprano. As they leave together, her husband is mocked by the Duke’s jester, Rigoletto. Count Ceprano, seeking revenge, is intrigued when the nobleman Marullo reveals that Rigoletto keeps a woman at home.
The elderly Count Monterone interrupts the festivities to denounce the Duke for dishonoring his daughter. Rigoletto mocks his outrage, and Monterone responds with a curse on both the Duke and the jester.
Later that night, Rigoletto is confronted outsidethe palace by the assassin Sparafucile. Rigoletto dismisses him but compares his own tongue to a sword. At home, he greets his daughter Gilda, whom he keeps secluded. After he leaves, the Duk, disguised as a studen, sneaks in and declares his love. Gilda, who had seen him following her, returns hisaffections.
Outside, Ceprano and the Duke’s courtiers gather to abduct Gilda, believing her to be Rigoletto’s mistress. They blindfold Rigoletto and trick him into helping them break into his own home. As they escape with Gilda, he hears her cries, removes the blindfold, and is devastated. Monterone’s curse haunts him.
ACT II
The Duke mourns Gilda’s disappearance but rejoices when he learns she is in the palace. Rigoletto arrives, desperate to find her, but is mocked by the courtiers. Gilda appears and tearfully recounts her abduction. Rigoletto vows revenge. Seeing Monterone led to prison, he swears the Duke will pay for both their daughters.
ACT III
Rigoletto brings Gilda to Sparafucile's house to witness the Duke, no longer disguised, seducing Maddalena, Sparafucile’s sister. Rigoletto arranges with Sparafucile to kill the Duke by midnight. But Gilda, still in love, returns and sacrifices herself in the Duke’s place.
When Rigoletto arrives, he is given a body in a sack. Hearing the Duke’s voice, he opens it and finds his dying daughter. Monterone’s curse is fulfilled.
–Adapted from Opera America
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“Rigoletto” Illustration: Aimee Sposito Martini