Rigoletto

Rigoletto Giuseppe Verdi
Taped live on location in Mantua, Italy

Placido Domingo (of “Three Tenors” fame) takes on a new challenge – the title role of Rigoletto. Shot LIVE on location in the cobblestone streets of Mantua, Italy, this special film version features hot Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo as the Duke. Experience Verdi’s memorable melodies and gripping tale like you’ve never seen it before!

Running Time:
Act 1 74 minutes
Act 2 40 minutes
Act 3 39 minutes
Total: 153 minutes
Cast and Artistic Team:
Rigoletto ~ Placido Domingo
Gilda ~ Julia Novikova
Duca di Mantova ~ Vittorio Grigolo
Sparafucile ~ Ruggero Raimondi
Conte di Monterone ~ Gianfranco Montresor
Marullo ~ Giorgio Caoduro
Borsa ~ Matteo Leonardo Cortellazzi
Conte di Ceprano ~ Giorgio Gatti
Maddalena ~ Nino Surguladze
Presenter ~ Katie Derham
Director ~ Marco Bellocchio
Producer ~ Andrea Andermann
Conductor ~ Zubin Mehta

About Rigoletto
Following his critically acclaimed turn in the title role of Simon Boccanegra, Plácido Domingo tackles his next major baritone role in a film of Verdi's Rigoletto, titled Rigoletto In Mantua.

In a ground-breaking and innovative event, presenter Katie Derham introduces the opera as it is performed in locations across the city with Domingo in the role of the hunchback court jester, Rigoletto in Verdi’s tragic masterpiece.

Swapping the Duke's classic “La Donna é mobile” for the passion and vigour of Rigoletto's “Cortigiani,” Domingo himself admits: "When Andrea Andermann invited me to interpret the part of Rigoletto, I replied that there were so many good baritones in the world who could sing it.

"But Andrea said that he wasn't looking for a baritone, but rather for the Rigoletto whom I, Plácido Domingo, could bring to life. "It certainly is one of the most moving roles that exist, and I’m not sure that I won’t be overcome by the tears that will well up in my throat when I sing it.

"This is the first opera that I heard; the character of Borsa is the first role that I sang; and then I climbed a step higher and became the Duke – and I have even conducted the opera many times.

"Being able to take the part of Rigoletto in this 'live film,' precisely 'in the settings' that Verdi chose and worked so stubbornly to bring off, resisting the censors, will be a privilege that I want to share with those viewers all over the world who will be watching this...event."

Rigoletto In Mantua is a live film directed by Palm d'Or-nominated Vincere Marco Bellocchio, conceived and produced by Andrea Andermann, conducted by Zubin Mehta and filmed by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro.
Following his critically acclaimed turn in the title role of Simon Boccanegra, Plácido Domingo tackles his next major baritone role in a film of Verdi's Rigoletto, titled Rigoletto In Mantua.
- Description courtesy of BBC press office