Rigoletto (1977)
Verdi's operatic masterpiece performed by the Metropolitan Opera, featuring a stellar cast in a timeless tale of vengeance, love, and fate.
Rigoletto - Movie Information
- Original Title: Rigoletto
- Release Year: 1977
- Directed by: John Dexter, Kirk Browning
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Music
- Runtime: 2h 17m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 7, 1977 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Rigoletto (1977) Metropolitan Opera (US)
- Production Companies: Deutsche Grammophon, The Metropolitan Opera
- Production Countries: United States of America
Rigoletto - Plot
A Victor Hugo play, haunting and scandalous, provided the inspiration for Verdi's mid-career masterpiece. A vengeful but misguided court jester strives to save his daughter from a duke's licentious clutches, but can't part with the feeling that a curse looms over all of his actions. In Rigoletto, the composer introduces several of his most iconic arias and duets—as well as an 11th-hour quartet that counts among the finest moments in opera.
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Rigoletto - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- John Dexter
- Kirk Browning
Main Cast
- Cornell MacNeil
- Ileana Cotrubas
- Justino Díaz
- Plácido Domingo
- Isola Jones
- Ariel Bybee
- John Cheek
- Philip Booth
- Loretta di Franco
- James Atherton
Writers
- Francesco Maria Piave
Rigoletto - FAQs
What is Rigoletto (1977) about?
Rigoletto follows a bitter court jester who desperately tries to protect his daughter from the predatory Duke of Mantua, all while believing a nobleman's curse shadows his every move. Verdi's opera blends dark irony with soaring arias, culminating in one of opera's most devastating and emotionally charged finales.
Is Rigoletto based on a true story or literary work?
Rigoletto is based on Victor Hugo's controversial 1832 play Le roi s'amuse. Hugo's work was actually banned after its premiere for its unflattering portrayal of royalty. Verdi and librettist Francesco Maria Piave adapted it into an opera in 1851, relocating the story to the court of the Duke of Mantua.
Who are the main performers in Rigoletto (1977)?
The 1977 Metropolitan Opera production stars Cornell MacNeil in the title role alongside Plácido Domingo as the Duke of Mantua and Ileana Cotrubas as Gilda. Justino Díaz plays the assassin Sparafucile, with James Levine conducting the MET Orchestra in what became a landmark televised opera event.
Where can you watch Rigoletto (1977)?
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What famous arias appear in Verdi's Rigoletto?
Rigoletto contains some of opera's most beloved music. “La donna è mobile,” sung by the Duke, is instantly recognizable worldwide. “Caro nome” showcases Gilda's devotion, while the Act III quartet “Bella figlia dell'amore” is widely considered one of the greatest ensemble pieces ever written for the operatic stage.
Who directed the 1977 Metropolitan Opera Rigoletto?
The production was staged by acclaimed British theater and opera director John Dexter, known for his work at the National Theatre and the Met. Kirk Browning handled the television direction, bringing the performance to home audiences. Browning was one of the most celebrated directors of televised opera and classical music.
What makes the Rigoletto curse so central to the story?
Early in the opera, the nobleman Monterone curses Rigoletto for mocking his dishonored daughter. This curse haunts the jester throughout the drama, feeding his paranoia and ultimately proving prophetic. Verdi uses it as a dramatic engine, giving the tragedy an almost Greek inevitability as Rigoletto's own schemes lead to catastrophe.
What are some operas similar to Rigoletto?
If Rigoletto moves you, explore other Verdi masterworks like La Traviata and its 2005 filmed production. Puccini's Manon Lescaut (1980) and Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro (1993) offer similarly rich operatic drama. Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor (1983) is another powerful choice for fans of 19th-century Italian opera.
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