Verdi's last work, in the popular tradition, is a lighthearted comedy about a fat drunkard who cynically seduces two women and is severely punished by them. However, when one carefully examines the Shakespearean original and carefully analyzes the extraordinary richness of the musical motifs, one discovers a darker undercurrent to this mysterious work, which the aged, accomplished composer consciously wrote as a farewell to his immense legacy, his own impressive life, and the world he philosophically viewed as the creator's painful joke on people and their actions. Reaching this undercurrent and revealing its supreme artistic beauty seems worth departing from the stereotype of a protagonist supposedly engaged solely in enjoying the remnants of the pleasures of table and bed, and in fairground clowning.

Falstaff

Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera

Rigoletto has nothing left to laugh about: As court jester to the notorious womaniser Duke of Mantua, he regularly mocks his master's numerous victims for the amusement of the court - until one day it is his own daughter Gilda who falls into the Duke's clutches. Inspired by Victor Hugo's drama "Le roi s'amuse", Verdi put a timeless opera classic on paper with "Rigoletto".

Rigoletto

Oper Leipzig

What does it mean when two people »fall« for each other? Weakness at the knees, a pounding heart, clammy hands, butterflies in the stomach – all these symptoms require a proven antidote – an elixir of love!  Donizetti in his opera probes with a wink the ups and downs that those loving and in love go through and he lets the lovers watching from his audience identify with them.

The Love Potion (L'elisir d'amore)

Theater Bonn Opera House

At the turn of the year, Theater Bonn takes opera audiences to the land where the lemons bloom! In a colorful, varied program, guests and ensemble as well as the chorus and extra chorus of Theater Bonn present a glittering opera gala that combines the best of the rich tradition of bel canto and dramatic opera. Experience unforgettable arias, duets and ensembles from masterpieces by VINCENZO BELLINI, GIOACHINO ROSSINI, GAETANO DONIZETTI, GIACOMO PUCCINI, PIETRO MASCAGNI, GIUSEPPE VERDI - and a few surprises! The top soloists will bring the great emotions, passionate melodies and gripping stories of these works to life with impressive virtuosity and deep expression. An evening that will make the hearts of all opera lovers beat faster. No one will sleep!

Nobody sleeps!

As the court jester to the Duke of Mantua, Rigoletto is no less scrupulous than his absolutist master, who seduces women at will and has men killed on a whim. Rigoletto seeks to protect his daughter Gilda from this world, but the Duke has already set his sights on the innocent young woman. When Gilda gives herself to the seducer driven by love and idealism, Rigoletto's carefully constructed wall of protection collapses, and he himself is made a fool: his belief that he could strictly separate the corruption of court society from his private happiness proves to be a fatal illusion.

Ioan Hotea

Events

Upcoming events

Oct 3 - Nov 15, 2026

Rigoletto · Oper Köln

Past events

17 - 26 Apr, 2026

Falstaff · Polish National Opera

Oct 17, 2025 - Jan 17, 2026

Rigoletto · Oper Leipzig

Future and recently performed repertoire

Nemorino in L'elisir d'amore by Donizetti

Theater Bonn

Duke in Rigoletto by Verdi

Oper Leipzig

Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto by Verdi

Oper Köln

Fenton in Falstaff by Verdi

Polish National Opera

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