Stars: Placido Domingo, James Atherton, Cornell MacNeil, Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine

Director: John Dexter

Summary: A production of Verdi's opera performed by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus; conducted by James Levine.

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If there are doubts still lingering about the Royal Opera House's artistic renaissance after its mid-1990s doldrum years, David McVicar's gritty and sexy production of Rigolettoshould blow them all away. One of the principal reasons is McVicar's decision to emphasise the tyrannical nature of the Duke (beautifully sung by Marcelo Alvarez), and the appalling social injustice that springs from a corrupt leader: his court is a place of physical and sexual abuse (graphically, but by no means gratuitously, depicted). This violence throws the dual nature of Rigoletto into relief, making his toadyism seem all the worse and his vengefulness all the more sympathetic.

The singing and acting are first rate, with Paolo Gavanelli's energetic, insect-like Rigoletto worthy even to stand against Anthony Sher's Richard III. Christine Schafer has a gorgeous voice, an intelligent sense of phrasing, and plays Gilda as a frail, morbid creature whose ultimate self-sacrifice is as much an act of neurotic despair as of love. The production is also a visual and orchestral success. Michael Vale's set is a masterpiece of economy--both the Duke's palace and Rigoletto's home are surrounded by broken objects, wire fencing and gloomy shadows--and Edward Downes draws some stunning playing from the Royal Opera Orchestra. This is undoubtedly the best Rigolettocommitted to DVD thus far.

On the DVDRigolettocomes with an entertaining 17-minute BBC biography of the composer, "Verdi Through the Looking Glass", presented by conductor Charles Hazlewood, as well as an illustrated synopsis of the opera, and a revealing 10-minute interview with the director. There are subtitles in English, French, German, Dutch and Spanish.--Warwick Thomson

Region:	Region 0
Special Features:	Cast Interviews, Picture Gallery, DVD Catalogue, DVD Trailer
Subtitles:	Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Release Date:	August 9, 2004
Runtime:	124 minutes
Certification:	Exempt.
Catalogue Number:	073 093 9
Keywords:	Music, Opera, Works, Rigoletto, Stage, Verdi, Classical, Performing, Operetta, Arts
Genre:	Music/Performing Arts