Rigoletto (1851) begins Verdi's journey towards his own conception of a musical drama. It is surprising for its dynamism and consistency, limiting the contemplative moments and merging them with the action, while generally respecting the usual formal conventions of Italian opera, and also for the role taken on by the orchestra as a constant dramatic support.

Piave's libretto is based on Victor Hugo's Le Roi s'amuse, suitably retouched to circumvent Austrian censorship, and the plot centres on the curse that the Count of Monterone places on Rigoletto, the Duke of Mantua's jester, for mocking his dishonour. This curse, whose musical motif opens and ends the play, will be for the jester the seed of his disgrace: his daughter Gilda will be seduced by the Duke, kidnapped by the courtiers and will die a victim of his own thirst for revenge.

From the historical archive of Teatro Real. Free access after registration.