Skip to main content
A clown in a suit and a woman in a black dress.

Rigoletto

13 – 26 June 2023

In the Joan Sutherland Theatre | Opera Australia | Opera

Opera Australia’s much-loved production returns, complete with its glamorous La Dolce Vita-inspired sets and costumes, and a scene-stealing Fiat 500. 

Rigoletto and La Traviata have proven to be among the most enduring and popular of Opera Australia’s repertoire.

Sydney Morning Herald

Royalty, devotion, lust and revenge: this opera has everything

At the Duke’s infamous parties, one man’s words light the darkness with a sinister glitter. Among the glamorous girls and greasy gangsters, Rigoletto serves his master with sharp wits and averted eyes.

From the moment he wrote it, Verdi knew he had a hit on his hands. The story has everything: royalty, loyalty, devotion, lust and revenge.

And the music? The music is sensational, so full of hummable tunes that Verdi demanded complete secrecy from his premiere cast. The tenor was forbidden from even whistling the catchy ‘La donna è mobile’ outside of rehearsals.

The morning after Rigoletto’s triumphant premiere, that melody rang out in the streets: a hit for ever after. The title character Verdi called the “greatest creation” in the history of theatre had found a home in a masterpiece of music.

Elijah Moshinsky’s much-loved production of Rigoletto returns to the Sydney Opera House stage, complete with its glamorous La Dolce Vita-inspired sets and costumes and scene-stealing Fiat 500. The revolving dolls-house style set gives a cinematic detail to each scene.

Opera Australia have assembled a brilliant cast led by Verdi master Renato Palumbo. Ernesto Petti is the tortured jester at the heart of Verdi’s masterpiece.

Presented by Opera Australia

Trailer

Artist Information

Creative team

Conductor 
Renato Palumbo

Director 
Elijah Moshinsky

Revival Director 
Shane Placentino

Set & Costume Designer 
Michael Yeargan

Lighting Designer 
Robert Bryan

Cast

Rigoletto 
Ernesto Petti

Duke of Mantua 
Atalla Ayan

Gilda 
Stacey Alleaume

Monterone 
David Parkin

Sparafucile 
Roberto Scandiuzzi

Maddalena 
Sian Sharp

Marullo 
Luke Gabbedy

Borsa 
Virgilio Marino

Ceprano 
Anthony Mackey

Giovanna 
Sian Sharp

Countess Ceprano 
Ruth Strutt

Page 
Jennifer Bonner

Usher 
Nathan Lay

Other information

You may also like

A danseur dressed as a plant.
10 - 25 Nov 2023 Dance

The Dream / Marguerite and Armand

A double bill from Frederick Ashton that will showcase the depth of the artists of The Australian Ballet. Featuring The Dream an airy, romantic homage to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Marguerite and Armand a tragic love affair of pure passion.

A women as Aida, an Ethiopian princess.
oa-aida-16x9-hero
19 Jun - 21 Jul 2023 Opera

Aida

A royal love triangle and an epic historic war. This production features floor-to-ceiling LED panels as an impressive, immersive set.

oa-mad-scenes-16x9-hero
3 Aug 2023 Opera

Mad Scenes with Jessica Pratt

Journey to the edge of danger and delirium, as leading Australian soprano Jessica Pratt delivers a mind-blowing evening of opera’s cliffhangers in Mad Scenes.