Rigoletto

September 14. 2024 - October 06. 2024

Wednesday
09/18/2024
2:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $54

Sunday
09/22/2024
2:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $64

  • Audio-described performance
  • Touch tour
  • SoundShirt

Wednesday
09/25/2024
7:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $42

Saturday
09/28/2024
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $54

Tuesday
10/01/2024
7:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $54

Sunday
10/06/2024
2:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $64

September 14. 2024 - October 06. 2024

Tickets

Rigoletto

Giuseppe Verdi

Join Lyric Opera of Chicago for Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto, a powerfully dramatic work based on a play by Victor Hugo. The composer brings astounding intensity to the court jester Rigoletto, tragically obsessed with avenging his daughter Gilda’s dishonor. The score’s highlights are unforgettable, from Rigoletto’s hair-raising denunciation of the Duke of Mantua’s courtiers, “Cortigiani,” to the immoral, philandering Duke’s “La donna è mobile,” to Gilda’s ecstatic “Caro nome.” Conducted by Music Director Enrique Mazzola, a much-acclaimed Verdian, Lyric’s visually sumptuous production stars the sensational baritone Igor Golovatenko. He's joined by two other international luminaries making eagerly awaited company debuts: Mané Galoyan, the exquisite Armenian soprano, and Javier Camarena, the spectacular Mexican tenor.

  • Language: Sung in Italian with projected English titles
  • Running Time: 2 hours and 35 minutes, including 1 intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House
  • View Full Calendar

Lyric's presentation of Verdi's Rigoletto is generously made possible by Lisbeth Stiffel, Marlys A. Beider, and Randy L. & Melvin R.* Berlin.
*deceased

Maestro Enrique Mazzola is generously sponsored by Alice & John Butler, H. Gael Neeson, Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel, and the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation as members of the Enrique Circle.

Videos

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Unlocking the genius of Verdi's RIGOLETTO: Enrique Mazzola on its timeless success

Music Director Enrique Mazzola shares why Verdi's Rigoletto has stood the test of time and is the perfect way to open Lyric's 2024/25 Season.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Verdi's Rigoletto

Join Lyric Opera of Chicago for Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto, a powerfully dramatic work based on a play by Victor Hugo.

 

Lighting designer Duane Schuler sets the scene in RIGOLETTO

With more than 240 Lyric productions under his belt, lighting designer Duane Schuler adds nuance and color to Verdi's Rigoletto this fall. Hear about his artistic inspirations and see the classic opera come to blazing life.

Enrique Mazzola on the characters of Verdi's RIGOLETTO

Rigoletto's complex characters — from the naive Gilda to the duplicitous Duke of Mantua — have captivated audiences for centuries. Hear Music Director Enrique Mazzola discuss the iconic roles, and see him on the podium when Verdi's dramatic opera opens Lyric's 2024/25 Season on September 14.

Sunday, October 6, 4:30 PM

Artist Talkback

Artist Talkback

Join us for the final performance of Rigoletto on Sunday, October 6th for an Artist Talkback with the stars of this Verdi masterpiece. Whether you’re a lifelong opera aficionado or new to the genre, this talkback promises a fascinating exploration of Verdi’s dramatic vision and the innovative approaches taken in this production. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to ask questions, gain new perspectives, and enrich your appreciation of this iconic work.

Pre-opera talk

Speaker: Roderick K. Hawkins

Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.

Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.

Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.

A recorded version of the Pre-opera talk is available below. 

© 2024/25 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

Photos

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The company of Rigoletto.

Photo: Lyric Opera of Chicago/Andrew Cioffi

The company of Rigoletto.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Igor Golovatenko as Rigoletto and Mané Galoyan as Gilda.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Igor Golovatenko as Rigoletto.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Javier Camarena as Duke of Mantua and Adia Evans as Countess Ceprano.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

The company of Rigoletto.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Articles

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Tenor Javier Camarena makes his Lyric debut in Rigoletto

The only person in history to sing an encore in three different productions at the Metropolitan Opera, Mexican tenor Javier Camarena will make his Lyric debut as the Duke of Mantua in Verdi's Rigoletto (Sept 14 - Oct 6, 2024). Originally from Xalapa, Veracruz in Mexico and now residing in Zurich, Switzerland, Camarena has achieved international acclaim for his burnished tone and commanding vocals.
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Rigolettos at Lyric

More than a dozen baritones have taken the demanding lead role here. Allow us to re-introduce five of the giants who graced the Lyric stage in the company’s first 40 years.
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Get to know: Verdi's Rigoletto

Lyric Opera of Chicago will open its 2024/25 Season with Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece Rigoletto, one of the most powerfully dramatic works in the repertoire. Learn more about the iconic opera and see it live with an all-star cast September 14 through October 6, 2024.
Read More

Artists

  • Igor Golovatenko

    Igor Golovatenko

    Rigoletto

  • Mané Galoyan

    Mané Galoyan *

    Gilda

  • Javier Camarena

    Javier Camarena *

    Duke of Mantua

  • Soloman Howard

    Soloman Howard

    Sparafucile

  • Zoie Reams

    Zoie Reams

    Maddalena

  • Andrew Manea

    Andrew Manea *

    Monterone

  • Travon D. Walker

    Travon D. Walker ***

    Borsa

  • Sankara Harouna

    Sankara Harouna ***

    Marullo

  • Christopher Humbert, Jr.

    Christopher Humbert, Jr. ***

    Ceprano

  • Adia Evans

    Adia Evans ***

    Countess Ceprano

  • Maire Therese Carmack

    Maire Therese Carmack *

    Giovanna

  • Gemma Nha

    Gemma Nha ***

    Page

  • Vince Wallace

    Vince Wallace

    Usher

  • Enrique Mazzola

    Enrique Mazzola

    Conductor

  • Mary Birnbaum

    Mary Birnbaum *

    Director

  • Robert Innes Hopkins

    Robert Innes Hopkins

    Set Designer

  • Jane Greenwood

    Jane Greenwood

    Costume Designer

  • Duane Schuler

    Duane Schuler

    Lighting Designer

  • Michael Black

    Michael Black

    Chorus Director

* Lyric debut
*** Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Program book

Go inside this production of Rigoletto with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

Download program book

Header images: Scott Suchman/Wolf Trap Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu/Antoni Bofill, Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago