Review: RIGOLETTO, Opera Holland Park

New Jazz Age version of Verdi's tragic tale

By: Jun. 02, 2023
Review: RIGOLETTO, Opera Holland Park

Review: RIGOLETTO, Opera Holland Park Bullying, sexism, corruption, initiation ordeals and debauched behaviour. No, it’s not another government inquiry into the antics of the elite, but Opera Holland Park kicking off the 2023 season by way of a new and thought-provoking production of Rigoletto.

The dynamic duo of young conductor Lee Reynolds and innovative director Cecilia Stinton cleverly transfer Guiseppe Verdi’s tragic tale from Renaissance Mantua to an Oxford college in the 1920s.

To get us into the spirit some of the opening music is ingeniously played on a crackly old 78-rpm gramophone. And there’s lots of bustling about on bicycles, feathered flappers dancing the Charleston, thwacking of cricket balls, and preening Bullingdon Club types in bowties and waistcoats.

Hats off to designer Neil Irish for sumptuous costumes and academic common room décor. Think polished wood bookshelves with gleaming trophies and leather-bound editions, High Table dining and the backdrop of the park’s Holland House really coming into its own as an Oxbridge dreaming spire.

Alas, sometimes Irish’s creative efforts are lost on the upper platforms on the doughnut-shaped stage (the orchestra the jam in the centre, with surrounding rostra). A pity, as the attention to detail is splendid and it would be good to see more at close quarters.

Placing the action in the Jazz Age lends Gilda (soprano Alison Langer, beneficiary of Opera Holland Park’s Young Artists’ Scheme) more agency. She makes her entrance confidently through the audience, and departs (spoiler alert) as a corpse in the same emphatic way. Gilda’s sacrifice for the man she loves isn’t a submissive gesture from Rigoletto’s cloistered daughter, but a declaration of what a woman believes she must do.

‘Jester’ Rigoletto (baritone Stephen Gadd, who performs admirably while suffering from a cold) is portrayed as a disabled war veteran, with medals on his chest and brace on his leg. An ‘outsider’, his role is to entertain the Duke of Mantua (engaging tenor Alessandro Scotto di Luzio, masquerading as a student to seduce Gilda) and his bullying hangers-on. Showing how Rigoletto’s taunted because of difference (he’s constantly relacing his leg brace, which obviously causes him pain) is an added touch that resonates with today.

Standout star of the evening is Langer.  She hits every sweet spot, while displaying courage and power. The soprano garners plaudits from the audience at this performance, with enthusiastic cheering and stamping of feet.

Other talent to acknowledge is baritone Jacob Phillips (in the role of Marullo), Simon Wilding as assassin Sparafucile and Hannah Pedley (as a sparky Maddalena).

And under Reynolds’ agile conducting, the City of London Sinfonia and Opera Holland Park Chorus are on fire, making this fresh take on Rigoletto accessible not only to the elite – but to everyone.

Rigoletto runs at Opera Holland Park until June 24

Photo credit: Craig Fuller


 




RELATED STORIES - UK / West End

1
Tosh Wanogho-Maud Performs Solo Shows at Piano Smithfield in November and December Photo
Tosh Wanogho-Maud Performs Solo Shows at Piano Smithfield in November and December

Fresh from starring in the West End premiere of Ain’t Too Proud at the Prince Edward Theatre, Tosh Wanogho-Maud will perform a limited run of live solo shows in November and December. Find out how to get tickets here!

2
Cast Set For The Return Of A SHERLOCK CAROL to Marylebone Theatre Photo
Cast Set For The Return Of A SHERLOCK CAROL to Marylebone Theatre

Ben Caplan and Kammy Darweish are to return as Sherlock Holmes and Ebenezer Scrooge in the sell-out production, 'A Sherlock Carol'. Don't miss this sell-out production from 24 November 2023 - 7 January 2024.

3
Video/Photos: Full Cast Set and First Look at UK Tour of THERES A MONSTER IN MY SHOW Photo
Video/Photos: Full Cast Set and First Look at UK Tour of THERE'S A MONSTER IN MY SHOW

Full casting has been announced for ‘There’s a Monster in Your Show, which will premiere at the Watford Palace Theatre on 12 October, before heading off to more than 50 further venues around the UK. Check out all new rehearsal photos and video here and find out who is starring in the show!

4
Sadlers Wells Celebrates 25th Anniversary This October Photo
Sadler's Wells Celebrates 25th Anniversary This October

The world’s leading dance organisation, Sadler’s Wells, celebrates the 25th anniversary of its current building this October. Learn more about the company's history and its future here!

From This Author - Cheryl Markosky

Hooked on theatre when a student usher at Theatre Calgary in her native Canada, Cheryl champions not only London's West End, but also regional venues. Splitting her time between London a... Cheryl Markosky">(read more about this author)

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You