OCTOBER 22, 2014
Bad things happen when you hire an assassin in a dive bar
Rigoletto at Symphony Hall Nov. 14-16
PHOENIX – Arizona Opera brings Verdi's masterpiece of a vengeful court jester to the stage. With unforgettable arias that are synonymous with Italian opera and a dramatic, twisting plot, Rigoletto features dark assassins, a philandering Duke and the self-sacrificing Gilda. This lush production, set in 16th century Mantua, features baritone Michael Corvino as Rigoletto, (Nov 14, 16) who "brings a robust voice and disarming vulnerability to the role." - (The New York Times) alternating with the astounding Joshua Jeremiah (Nov. 15) a "husky, deep-voiced baritone singing with flexibility and abandon." - (Washington Post).
Rounding out the cast is Jason Slayden and Anthony Kalil alternating in the role of the Duke of Mantua and Sarah Coburn and Andrea Shokery as the tender Gilda. Fenlon Lamb will direct with conductor Dean Williamson making his Arizona Opera debut.
Performances are November 14 & 15 at 7:30 and November 16 at 2 p.m. at Symphony Hall in Phoenix. All performances are sung in Italian with English supertitles. Pre-performance lecture begins 1 hour prior to curtain time. Students can purchase $20 rush tickets one hour before curtain, best available seats in house (Limit 2).
Tickets for Rigoletto start at $25, and are available at www.azopera.org or by calling 602.266.7464 (Phoenix) or 520.293.4336 (Tucson). Tickets are also on sale at the Arizona Opera Center Box Office at 1636 N. Central Ave, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
