Rigoletto

September 14. 2024 - October 06. 2024

September 14. 2024 - October 06. 2024

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

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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Mané Galoyan performs "Caro nome" from Verdi's Rigoletto

In her Lyric Opera of Chicago debut, soprano Mané Galoyan performs Gilda's heartfelt Act One aria, "Caro nome" from Verdi's Rigoletto. In this scene, she expresses her new-found love for the penniless student, Gualtier Maldé, unaware that he is the Duke of Mantua in disguise.

Javier Camarena sings "La donna è mobile" from Verdi's Rigoletto at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Tenor Javier Camarena makes his much-anticipated Lyric debut as the devious Duke of Mantua in Verdi's Rigoletto. In this excerpt, the Duke muses about the so-called "fickle" nature of women as he unabashedly flits from one conquest to the next.

 

The Verdi best: Meet the cast of RIGOLETTO

A star-studded cast brings Verdi's Renaissance-era thriller to life at Lyric.

This visually sumptuous production stars the sensational baritone Igor Golovatenko as Rigoletto. He's joined by two other international luminaries making eagerly awaited company debuts: Mané Galoyan, the exquisite Armenian soprano as Gilda, and Javier Camarena, the spectacular Mexican tenor as the Duke of Mantua. Rounding out the cast is audience favorite Soloman Howard as the deadly swordsman Sparafucile.

Hear what Audiences are saying about Verdi's Rigoletto

Hear why audiences think Lyric Opera's production of Verdi's Rigoletto is a "must-see!" and see this Renaissance-era thriller now through October 6.

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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Q&A with Soloman Howard

Soloman Howard makes his third appearance at Lyric in Rigoletto as Sparafucile, the shadowed assassin and villain. But behind the curtains and off stage, Howard is a charismatic and compassionate personality with an eye for fashion.
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by Mary Birnbaum

Director's note: Rigoletto

One of the most rewarding aspects of directing standard repertoire is the opportunity to re-examine characters who were crafted before the dawn of modern dramaturgy in order to try to give voice to their stories with sufficient complexity and agency.
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Igor Golovatenko returns!

Baritone Igor Golovatenko demonstrated extraordinary musical versatility early on, graduating first as a cellist from the Saratov Conservatory, then as a conductor from Moscow's Tchaikovsky Conservatory before turning to vocal studies at the Moscow Academy of Choral Arts. He first wowed Chicago audiences in 2022, with his Lyric debut as Rodrigue in Don Carlos.
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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.
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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