Rigoletto; Rigoletto

Did Verdi have a great PR agent, or is it true that this masterpiece was actually composed in 40 days? A stinging (and modified after threatened censorship) portrait of Italian court debauchery, Rigoletto is set in 16th century Mantua, where an evil, lecherous Duke takes a shine to the hidden away daughter of the eponymous, accursed, hunchbacked court jester. Captured live before an appreciative audience at the Arena Di Verona Amphitheater, the 2001 TDK version features a superb cast with Leo Nucci in the title role, a show-stopping performance by Inva Mala as his daughter Gilda, and Aquiles Machado as the Duke (Machado's splendid voice more than compensates for his wooden acting ability). Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. !Still, the 1996 Covent Garden production from BBC/Opus Arte wins by a nose, breathing new fire into this old war horse, with a gutsy and lusty (including some bare breasts and brief frontal nudity) production, featuring a cast of singers that truly inhabit their characters. Period costumes and artistic lighting create tableaux right out of an old master painting, and under David McVicar's inspired direction the cast shines, especially Paolo Gavanelli as Rigoletto: bawdy, tragic and in wonderful voice, he sets a new benchmark for the role. The DVD's generous extras include an outstanding synopsis, illustrated by stills of the corresponding action; the enlightening documentary "Verdi Through the Looking Glass"; and an interview with McVicar. Essential viewing for any self-respecting Verdi aficionado, this is most highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)