Back at the Teatro del Maggio, the staging of Verdi's masterpiece with Davide Livermore directing and maestro Stefano Ranzani on the podium.

In April 1850, Verdi signed a contract with the Teatro La Fenice in Venice for a new opera. The subject that the composer proposed to the librettist Francesco Maria Piave was Le Roi s’amuse, the historical drama by Victor Hugo performed at the Comédie-Française in 1832 and censored for having portrayed the monarchy in its worst vices. The choice was dangerous and Verdi knew it. In fact, the Venetian censors did not initially accept the maestro’s proposal, judging the subject “of repugnant immorality and dark triviality”. What annoyed the censors was the element of the curse, which for Verdi was the driving force of the whole action as well as the first title he thought of for the opera. After a long debate, a compromise was reached: the action was moved in time and space, the King of France was demoted to Duke of Mantua and the opera was titled with the name of the protagonist: Rigoletto.

The first title of the so-called ‘popular trilogy’, Rigoletto debuted successfully on 11 March 1851, marking a decisive turning point in the operatic panorama of the time. For the first time, the main role was entrusted to a character of humble origins, unhappy and deformed. A man with a tormented personality, Rigoletto was as cynical and ruthless in his role as a jester as he was loving and passionate in that of a father. Inevitably marked by that curse that accompanied him from the beginning of the opera, Rigoletto would lose everything, even his dearest possession, remaining crushed by the weight of a destiny from which he could not escape.

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino staging

Poster © Gianluigi Toccafondo

Pics and trailer of the 2021 staging.

The performance of the 20th February will be be broadcast live on Rai Radio 3

Shows are preceded by the listening guide in the Gallery Foyer.
They are reserved for ticket holders and take place 45 minutes before the beginning of the show (duration: approximately 30 minutes).

Meeting with the audience - Parlando d'opera

Wednesday, February 12th 2025, 4:30 p.m.
"Il retaggio d'ogn'uom m'è tolto... il pianto". Rigoletto, the redemption of tears
by Alberto Batisti

In collaboration with Il Foyer - Amici della Lirica di Firenze
Free admission until all available seats are taken