The company’s critically acclaimed version will be screened all over the world next week – in more than 700 venues in 17 different countries. Starring internationally renowned baritone Carlos Álvarez in the title role, the launch coincides with the original premiere of this opera in Italy almost two centuries ago, and will be followed by other ROH’s recorded performances.
La donna è mobile. And so is the theatre – no matter how lavish and extravagant a montage may be. Impossible, you say? Well, definitely not to Covent Garden’s Opera, as their applauded 2021 version of Rigoletto is about to be seen simoultaneously in over 700 theatres in 17 different countries across the globe. Magic? That goes without saying when it comes to the performing arts, but the solution this time is much easier – for some things are meant to be immortalised.
Verdi’s iconic masterpiece is coming to the screen next week. The production, conducted by the venue’s Music Director Antonio Pappano, enjoyed critical acclaimed when first showed in September last year (when it was recorded) and also meant the Oliver Mears’s debut as the Director of the company. “It was hugely exciting to work with Antonio Pappano and to open the Royal Opera House’s 2021/22 Season – its first full Season since 2019 – with a brand-new production of Rigoletto», says Mears. “Verdi’s opera has remained a firm favourite since its triumphant premiere in 1851, and it is a real pleasure to be able to share it, in full splendour, with audiences beyond Covent Garden and across the world this year”.
The release of this recording will be taking place in the same month this opera was first premiered in a sold-out La Fenice over 170 years ago. Often considered one of the best works of the entire genre, the piece is a tragic story of vengeance, set in a pitiless world of luxurious decadence, corruption and social decay. Starring world-renowned baritone Carlos Álvarez in the title role, internationally celebrated soprano Lisette Oropesa playing Gilda and acclaimed tenor Liparit Avetisyan as the Duke of Mantua, this screening will be followed by other ROH’s productions, which include La Traviata in April and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake in May.
Rigoletto will be first launched on Thursday March 10th – with encore screenings from Sunday March 13th. Tickets and further information are available on the following link.
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