A Gem
As the golden curtains receded to the orchestra’s elegant music, I received goose bumps that stayed with me until the end of the show. All of the components of the production focused on the most minute details, creating an enthralling experience for the viewers. The performance of Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera, from start to finish, was simply astounding.
The tragedy of Rigoletto is shocking, so for those individuals who are feint of heart, you have been warned. We see the jester, Rigoletto, suffer the serious ramifications of a curse. While he is at the side of the Duke of Mantua at his palace, Rigoletto thinks that he is invincible, and that he is shielded from all dangers. However, after Monterone (whose daughter, the Duke has seduced) makes his way into the party, and curses both Rigoletto and the Duke for their behavior, he later discovers that he is human, and susceptible to these dangers. From this point on, we witness the colossal downfall of the jester. The disparity between someone who has a position of power and a common man is also seen, as the Duke is practically immune to the curse, while the jester, watches helplessly as the curse sends his life crashing into a downward spiral.
What was most impressive with Rigoletto, were the sets and costumes. Authentic and grandiose, the sets immersed viewers in the realm of the setting. The sets were three dimensional, and the buildings were detailed to the point that they actually displayed some wear and tear. Vines covered some of these walls and buildings making it appear even more realistic. Torches lit up the stage, and gave the sets a unique luminescence. All of the backgrounds were stunning; there were backdrops showing everything from dark and cloudy night skies, to purple sunset skies. What was intriguing was that the backgrounds were changing throughout the performance. For example, in the opening of the second act, the purple sunset sky became darker as night approached. In the third act, while the storm was raging, lightning bolts pierced the dark midnight sky. The costumes of the characters were true to the time period of the opera, and complemented the sets and the roles that the characters played. An example of this can be seen with characters such Sparafucile, who wore darker clothing matching his equally dark representation. The sets and costumes of Rigoletto engulfed viewers, and made us feel as if we were truly in Mantua watching the tragedy unfold.
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra gave life to Rigoletto. The brass powered the tense moments, while the woodwinds and strings sections guided the calmer and melancholic moments. The orchestra’s crescendos served perfectly as segues for the solos of the opera singers. The change of pace in the orchestra’s music helped create the atmospheres for the scenes. For example, in Act II, when Rigoletto was frantically seeking his daughter, the music was at a faster pace, perhaps at allegro. In Act III, as the opera was concluding, the music performed by the orchestra was monumental. The brass along with the percussion ignited the storm taking place in the scene, and finished off the opera with a homerun.
The singing and acting in Rigoletto kept the audience enticed throughout the opera. Mr. George Gagnidze, who had a cold, showed no ill effects, as he delivered a riveting performance. My favorite singer from Rigoletto was the bass, Andrea Silvestrelli who played Sparafucile. His voice supplemented the dark and stormy scenes that he was mostly a part of. The one weakness of this performance of Rigoletto was the acting of Mr. Gagnidze (Rigoletto) in the first act. Often, the character of Rigoletto appeared emotionless, which was perhaps due to his extensive focus on singing. For example, when Monterone curses Rigoletto in the first act, although he often mentions that he has been cursed, Rigoletto fails to exhibit too much pain for it. However, starting from the second act (after his daughter is abducted), Mr. George Gagnidze showcased his talent as an actor. We were able to clearly see Rigoletto’s anger, grief, and fiery appetite for revenge.
Never did I expect to enjoy an opera, as much as I enjoyed Rigoletto. A review just won’t simply do it justice; you must go and experience it for yourself. The combination of orchestral music, realistic jaw-dropping sets, and a gripping tragedy make Rigoletto a must watch for anyone.
