RIGOLETTO is a Verdi masterpiece and his best-loved opera.

Set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, and based on the play Le Roi s’amuse by Victor Hugo, the opera is often described as the popular Italian composer's first work of complete genius and is particularly noted for its subtle and highly original characterisation, especially in the case of the tragic court jester, Rigoletto himself.

With an impressive cast and an orchestra of more than 30 musicians, Rigoletto will be brought vividly to life by the Russian State Ballet and Opera House at Carlisle's The Sands Centre, on Friday, February 27 (7.30pm).

Giuseppe was commissioned to write a new opera by La Fenice Opera House in Venice in 1850. By that time he was already a well-known composer and had a degree of freedom in choosing the works he would prefer to set to music and chose Hugo’s Rigoletto after becoming enthused with the play.

The tragic story revolves around the hunchbacked court jester, Rigoletto, his beautiful much-loved daughter Gilda (who he had kept secret from the court) and the Duke of Mantua who he serves. Rigoletto’s sarcastic comments and participation in the Duke’s escapades have won him many enemies among the Duke’s followers.

Count Ceprano, not amused by Rigoletto’s constant humiliating remarks, and thinking that Gilda is Rigoletto’s mistress, plots his revenge and persuades his followers to kidnap Gilda and take her to the Duke.

After rescuing his daughter, Rigoletto vows to be avenged and hires a hit man to kill the Duke. The curse comes to fruition when Gilda falls in love with the Duke and eventually sacrifices her life to save him from the assassin hired by her father.

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