Rigoletto - Show Information
Rigoletto, the hunchbacked jester, offends the Duke's courtiers and Count Monterone who curses Rigolleto.The hunchbacked jester of the Duke, Rigoletto, recommends that the Duke get rid of the husbands of the two women he is interested in winning to himself. He suggests putting them in prison or killing them. One of the men in the community puts a curse on the Duke as well as on Rigoletto.
Rigoletto has his daughter, Gilda, hidden from public view at home, allowing her only to go to church. Gilda is not aware of her father's occupation. The Duke enters Rigoletto's home and overhears Gilda confessing an attraction to a man she saw at church. The Duke takes advantage of the situation and confesses his love for Gilda.
Gilda is abducted by noblemen in the city who are mistaken as to who she really is. They think she is the Duke's mistress. Gilda learns of her father's actual occupation and is displeased about it.
Confusion leads to sorry consequences near the end of the opera. The curse is still a strong element even at the end.
| Lyrics | Francesco Maria Piave |
| Music | Giuseppe Verdi |