Eternity Opera announce Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto

Eternity Opera announce their 2019 production: Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto in late August

After their critically acclaimed productions of Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, and last year’s Orfeo and Madam Butterfly, Eternity Opera is returning in August with Verdi’s 1851 dramatic masterpiece Rigoletto.

Rigoletto, a disfigured court jester seeks vengeance for his own humiliation, and for his daughter who has fallen victim to the Duke of Mantua. Rigoletto is out for revenge. But he definitely won’t have the last laugh.

A tragic story of jealousy, vengeance and sacrifice, Rigoletto is one of Verdi’s most popular operas. It features some of opera’s most immediately famous music, including “La donna è mobile”, “Questa o quella” and “Caro nome”.

Eternity Opera Director Alex Galvin said, “After the fantastic response we had for Madam Butterfly last year, we are incredibly excited to be staging Eternity Opera’s largest production to date.

“Eternity Opera was established to support the many talented singers and musicians in the Wellington region and provide opportunities to showcase their talent. But we are now also attracting a lot of great singers back to Wellington to perform with us, and this production of Rigoletto will feature a truly amazing cast of soloists and chorus.”

Outstanding Australian baritone James Clayton will return to New Zealand to play ‘Rigoletto’, joining US-based Kiwi tenor Boyd Owen as ‘The Duke’ and Wellington soprano Hannah Catrin Jones as ‘Gilda’, who are both returning to Eternity Opera after their stunning portrayals in last year’s Madam Butterfly.

James Clayton has been lauded by audiences and reviewers alike for his many roles with New Zealand Opera and Opera Australia, as well as concert appearances with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington and with the Melbourne, Tasmanian and West Australian Symphony Orchestras respectively. ‘Rigoletto’ will be his first performance with Eternity Opera.

Performed in English this will again be directed by Alex Galvin and conducted by Matthew Ross, with support from the Eternity Chamber Orchestra.

Rigoletto features over ten solo roles, plus chorus. Usually, the chorus only has male singers, but for this production, women will feature very prominently in the chorus as well as having many solo roles.

Eternity Opera Company brings opera productions to Wellington audiences that can be enjoyed by everyone – from opera fans to first-timers.

Rigoletto will be performed at Wellington’s Hannah Playhouse from 23-31 August.

ENDS

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