Organization

Conductor

Hristo Ignatov

Stage director

Kuzman Popov

Set designer

Maria Dimanova

Costume designer

Lora Marinova

Chorus master

Malina Hubcheva

State Opera Varna

Rigoletto

Varna

Bulgaria

Rigoletto Verdi

Public

Approved

Bass

Instrumentalist

Pianist

Violinist

Cellist

Violist

Flutist

Clarinetist

Guitarist

Organist

Percussionist

hornist

Oboist

Bassoonist

Trumpeter

Contrabassist

Trombonist

Harper

Saxophonist

Harpsichordist

Bassist

Accordionist

Tuba Player

Recorder Player

Lutenist

Tenor Violinist

Timpani

Mandoline Player

Baroque Flutist

Baroque Oboist

Baroque Trumpetist

Violino Piccolo Player

Viola da gamba

Musette de cour Player

Viola Pomposa Player

Archlutenist

Vibraphonist

Cornettist

Viola d’amore Player

Theorbist

Composer

Librettist

Choreographer

Lighting designer

Dancer

Actor

Video designer

Dramaturge

Translator

Sound designer

Repetiteur

Makeup artist

Executive producer

Hairstylist

Other

Stage Manager

Choir

Orchestra

Poet

Vocal coach

Teacher

Photographer

Broadcasting

Illustrator

Writer

Writing and performance

Chorus Director

Wig & Makeup Designer

Orchestra Operations

Extra

Contralto

Singer

Soprano

Countertenor

Bass-baritone

Tenor

Baritone

Mezzo-soprano

Spoken

Child vocalist

Silent

Alto

Continuo

The opera Rigoletto is an ingenious translation into the language of the opera performance of Victor Hugo's drama The King Has Fun.

Having caused a wide public response with its sharp social connotations and openly anti-monarchist idea, Hugo's play was banned immediately after its premiere in 1831.

Censorship declared it obscene and immoral, and the title inadmissible.
Deeply moved by Hugo's play, Verdi himself devised a plan for the opera, developed the main dramatic positions, and considered the characters. Under his direction, Francesco Piave created the libretto, in which Hugo's text was significantly shortened.

In the historical work, with extensive mass scenes and numerous details of life and everyday life in the court of French King Francis I, Verdi is attracted primarily by the psychological drama of the characters.
That is why the plot of the opera acquires a more chamber sound with an emphasis on the personal relationships of the characters, placed in aggravated to the extreme psychological situations. Verdi began work on the opera in 1850.
In the beginning, he intends to title his work "The Curse", because according to Hugo's plan, in the curse of the father of the girl disgraced by the king is the connection of the drama. The king and his jester are cursed. But the curse does not catch up with the immoral king - he continues to indulge in his frivolous pleasures with impunity. As is often the case in romantic plots, the victims of fate are those who deserve the least punishment.

Due to censorship, Verdi and Piave were forced to make some changes to the libretto. The action is transferred from Paris to the small Italian province of Mantua, the French king is replaced by the nameless Duke of Mantua, Tribule becomes Rigoletto, and Blanche - Gilda. But these changes are not able to destroy the meaning and ideological essence of the drama.

The dynamic, theatrically grateful plot allows Verdi's dramatic talent to be fully expressed.
It seems to me that the most theatrically active plot on which I have written music is "Rigoletto".
There are terrible events, sharp contrasts, temperament, pathos! ”- the composer shares.

English

Rigoletto by Verdi, From (1998/1998), Directed by Kuzman Popov,, Conductor Hristo Ignatov

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Crew

Programme, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues