BSOmusic. org / Shop
A NOTE FROM DIRECTOR RUTH KNIGHT
To my mind, Rigoletto is Verdi’ s greatest masterpiece. His commitment to depicting the darkest aspects of human nature make this piece awash with deliberately jarring moments in which catchy tunes butt up against horrific violence.
Rigoletto caused a major furor with the censors nearly two centuries ago. The subject matter, Hugo’ s Le roi s’ amuse, was considered unspeakably scandalous; how could a member of the enlightened aristocracy be depicted as such a degenerate? Despite Verdi agreeing to reconceive Hugo’ s King as a dastardly Duke, the opera still managed to shock the Venetian elites. Perhaps people in power will always struggle to see their flaws reflected back at them through art.
Certainly, the themes of abuse within Rigoletto are as shocking today as they were on its premiere. Indeed, the world’ s most powerful men are still able to commit horrifying sexual crimes, with women simply serving as collateral damage in the advancement of their egos. What’ s more, those who claim to care about protecting women are often the very people violating our rights, just as so many women are tragically victimized by those closest to them.
Out of respect for the extreme seriousness of this subject, tonight’ s staging will be unflinching in its portrayal of the crimes within its libretto. In addressing these issues headon, Rigoletto serves as a reminder that all women should be afforded the same freedom and respect, regardless of whether they are strangers, or our closest family.
A NOTE ON THE
DESIGN
When establishing the visual direction for the multi-year Verdi Opera initiative, the concept of“ threads” immediately came to mind. The music of Verdi is the literal thread that ties these three programs together, but on a deeper level each speak to the feeling of being bound— by love, by duty, by fate. Aida is torn between filial devotion and the one she loves; Rigoletto is bound both by his servitude to the Duke and Count Monterone’ s curse; and Requiem is an orchestral cry about humanity’ s ties to the living and the dead, the present and the future.
To be human is to feel the pull of invisible threads. Operatic music gives that feeling a voice.
Verdi production merchandise is available in our online store.
SHOP NOW!
BSOmusic. org / Shop
5