Lyric Opera 2024-2025 Issue 1 - Rigoletto

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 20 ACT I Scene 1. In his palace, the Duke of Mantua tells a courtier, Borsa, about his newest love. The girl has enchanted the Duke, but ultimately it makes no difference to him whether he pursues one woman or the other—they’re all the same (Ballata: Questa o quella ). The Duke flirts with Countess Ceprano, as Rigoletto cruelly mocks her husband. Another courtier, Marullo, excitedly tells his friends of his surprising discovery: Rigoletto has a mistress. Rigoletto suggests several unscrupulous methods of disposing of superfluous husbands. Realizing that he is the object of Rigoletto’s sarcasm, Count Ceprano arranges for a midnight meeting with some of the courtiers to obtain vengeance. Another nobleman, Monterone, storms in to denounce the Duke for dishonoring his daughter. He curses the Duke, and when mocked viciously by Rigoletto, Monterone turns on Rigoletto and curses him as well. Scene 2. Brooding over Monterone’s curse, Rigoletto returns to the secluded house where he shields his daughter, Gilda, away from the licentiousness of the Duke’s court. He is confronted by Sparafucile, a professional assassin (Duet: Va! Non ho niente ), who offers his services should Rigoletto ever wish to rid himself of an enemy. Rigoletto sends the man away. He muses on the similarity of their professions (Monologue: Pari siamo )—Rigoletto constantly wounding others with his wit, while Sparafucile uses a knife. Gilda greets her father (Duet: Figlia! Mio padre! ). She asks him about her mother, but he replies only that his wife was an angel who loved him. He refuses to divulge his real name and repeats his command that Gilda not leave their home, except to attend church. When her father asks if she has talked to any strangers, she evades his question. While Rigoletto is warning Giovanna, his housekeeper, to admit no one, the Duke steals in and hides. He is astonished to hear Rigoletto call Gilda his daughter. Father and daughter bid each other farewell, and Rigoletto departs. PRODUCTION SPONSORS Lisbeth Stiffel Marlys A. Beider Randy L. & Melvin R.° Berlin Alice & John Butler + H. Gael Neeson + Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel + Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation + ° Deceased + Enrique Circle Members Additional costumes by Austin Pettinger, Katrina Benedict, Krostyne Studio, and The Costume Shop. Lyric Opera of Chicago gratefully acknowledges the support of the NIB Foundation Italian Opera Endowed Chair and the Guild Board of Directors Verdi Endowed Chair. Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline,American Airlines. APPROXIMATE TIMINGS This production will be performed with one intermission. Act I 1 hour Intermission 25 minutes Acts II & III 1 hour 10 minutes TOTAL 2 hours 35 minutes LYRIC’S 2024/25 SEASON IS PRESENTED BY Erika Gross in loving memory of Dietrich Gross Julie & Roger Baskes Synopsis TIME | 16th century PLACE | In and near Mantua, Italy