Verdi's RIGOLETTO Comes to Seattle Opera, 1/11-25

Seattle Opera's 50th Anniversary season continues with one of opera's greatest masterpieces, Verdi's Rigoletto. Considered by many to be the "perfect opera," this tuneful tragedy tells of a tormented funnyman whose quest for vengeance ends up destroying all he holds dear. Fifty years ago, Seattle Opera produced Rigoletto as part of its first full season; in the decades since, Rigoletto's "La donna è mobile" has penetrated American pop culture and has appeared in everything from a Doritos Super Bowl commercial to an episode of Star Trek: Voyager and Elmo's World on Sesame Street. Now, Seattle Opera revives its popular 2004 production set in Mussolini's Italy and featuring several leading Italian artists. The show opens on January 11, 2014, and runs for seven performances through January 25.

"In this cast, we have principals who live up to Rigoletto's great tradition," said Speight Jenkins, Seattle Opera's General Director. "Marco Vratogna, for one, has the kind of sound characteristic of the great Verdi baritones. His jester will be powerful, cutting, and yet sympathetic."

Joining Vratogna as Rigoletto's daughter, Gilda, Soprano Nadine Sierra makes her Seattle Opera debut. The rising star recently shared first place and took home the People's Choice Award at the prestigious, international Neue Stimmen vocal competition in Germany. Sierra "has the looks, charisma and most importantly, the voice to become an operatic star," wrote South Florida Classical Review.

Sardinian tenor Francesco Demuro returns to Seattle as the womanizing Duke of Mantua. Demuro first wowed Seattle audiences four years ago as Alfredo in La traviata, and returned last winter as a stand-out Rodolfo in La bohème. Oregon Music News described his voice as "sheer stunning brilliance ... at its best, reminiscent of the great Italian tenors of the 20th century."

Making their Seattle debuts in the alternate cast are Korean baritone Hyung Yun as Rigoletto and Cuban-American tenor Rolando Sanz as the Duke of Mantua. Jennifer Zetlan, who charmed Seattle audiences as Woglinde and the Forest Bird in this summer's Ring and Musetta in La bohème, will take the role of Gilda.

Rigoletto also features Andrea Silvestrelli. After memorable performances as Fasolt and Hunding in this summer's Ring, the Italian lends his formidable bass as the assassin Sparafucile. Sarah Larsen, a graduate of Seattle Opera's Young Artist Program, takes the role of Maddalena. Larsen earned praise from various critics for her role as Suzuki in Madama Butterfly last year. The News Tribune called her "the hidden gem of the show ... a sultry mezzo that belied her demure demeanor."

Riccardo Frizza, whose previous Seattle conducting credits include Aida (2008) and Falstaff (2010), returns to lead one of Verdi's greatest scores. The production is directed by Linda Brovsky, whose creative and innovative productions for Seattle Opera have included Don Quichotte and I puritani.

The cast also includes Donovan Singletary (Count Monterone), Doug Jones (Borsa), Barry Johnson (Marullo), Glenn Guhr (Count Ceprano), Carissa Castaldo (Countess Ceprano and Maid) and Emily Clubb (Giovanna).

Rigoletto Production Sponsors:
Charles and Delphine Stevens, Lenore Hanauer
2013/14 Season Sponsor: Gladys Rubinstein, in memory of Sam Rubinstein

Rigoletto premieres Saturday, Jan. 11 and runs through Saturday, Jan. 25. Tickets are available online at seattleopera.org or by calling 206.389.7676 or 800.426.1619. Tickets may also be purchased at the Box Office by visiting 1020 John Street (two blocks west of Fairview), Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 pm (except for Wednesdays, when the ticket office opens at 9:30 am). Ticket prices start at $25.

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