Lyric Opera of Chicago's RIGOLETTO Opens Tomorrow

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents the harrowing story of a protective father, a lovestruck daughter, a predatory duke, and the terrible consequences of a curse in Verdi's Rigoletto. The new-to-Chicago production stars two world-renowned Ryan Opera Center alumni, Quinn Kelsey and Matthew Polenzani, in the opposing roles of the jester and the duke; and Italian soprano Rosa Feola (familiar to CSO audiences) in her Lyric debut as Gilda.

Rigoletto opens Saturday, October 7, with eight performances through November 3 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $59 and are available now at lyricopera.org/Rigoletto or at 312-827-5600.

Rigoletto, Verdi's masterpiece of 1851, presents a magnificent, deeply moving characterization of a hunchbacked court jester consumed by bitterness and revenge. Rigoletto (Quinn Kelsey) is the father of Gilda (Rosa Feola/Lyric debut), who is seduced and abandoned by the licentious Duke of Mantua (Matthew Polenzani). Sparafucile (Alexander Tsymbalyuk/Lyric debut) is the assassin hired by Rigoletto to murder the duke; Maddalena (Zanda Šv?de/Lyric debut) is Sparafucile's seductive sister; and Count Monterone's (Todd Thomas) curse on Rigoletto initiates the drama of the opera.

Marco Armiliato conducts the new-to-Chicago production, directed by E. Loren Meeker, with sets designed by Michael Yeargan, costumes designed by Constance Hoffman, and lighting designed by Chris Maravich. Michael Black is chorus master.

Performance dates for Rigoletto are Oct. 7, 14, 19, 30 and Nov. 3 at 7:30pm; and Oct. 11, 22 and 26 at 2pm. For tickets and information call (312) 827-5600 or go to lyricopera.org/Rigoletto.

Running time is approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, including intermission

The opening-night performance of Rigoletto can be heard live locally on 98.7WFMT and globally on wfmt.com, beginning at 7:15pm.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's mission is to express and promote the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great opera. Lyric exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to Chicago and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form.

Founded in 1954, Lyric is dedicated to producing and performing consistently thrilling, entertaining, and thought-provoking opera with a balanced repertoire of core classics, lesser-known masterpieces, and new works; to creating an innovative and wide-ranging program of community engagement and educational activities; and to developing exceptional emerging operatic talent.

Under the leadership of general director Anthony Freud, music director Sir Andrew Davis, and creative consultant Renée Fleming, Lyric strives to become The Great North American Opera Company for the 21st century: a globally significant arts organization embodying the core values of excellence, relevance, and fiscal responsibility.

To learn more about Lyric's new season, go to lyricopera.org. You can also join the conversation with @LyricOpera on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. #Lyric1718 #LongLivePassion.

Lyric Opera presentation of Verdi's Rigoletto generously made possible by Julie and Roger Baskes, Howard L. Gottlieb and Barbara G. Greis, Candy and Gary Ridgway, and Roberta L. and Robert J. Washlow. Production owned by San Francisco Opera.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago Broadcasts are generously sponsored by the The Richard P. and Susan Kiphart Family, The Matthew and Kay Bucksbaum Family, and The John and Jacolyn Bucksbaum Foundation.