The Opera Australia production Rigoletto, reimagined with a '50s '60s Italian cinema inspired La Dolce Vita staging, captured the ears, eyes and hearts of the Sydney Opera House audience last night.
While both the set, including a Fiat, and the costumes, give some clue to the era, dance moves such as The Twist left us in no doubt.
Opening night cries of "bravo" and "brava" punctuated the performance from the racked stalls of the Joan Sutherland Theatre as the man himself Ernesto Petti swept us off our feet and soaring above our seats as he channelled a Rigoletto that would content Guiseppe Verdi himself. Petti's nuance, emotion, tenderness, anger and pain are all proclaimed vocally, and physically, in an outstanding portrayal. Australian soprano Stacey Alleaume as Gilda had us swooning in our seats. The 'stranger' to my left excaimed "wow!" after her first aria. Later, I myself actually gasped and sighed in contentment when together they expanded my heart in duet.
An opera, of course, is not just composed of two singers, and commanding performances were given by all other leads, from internationally acclaimed tenor Atalla Ayan and bass Robert Scandiuzzi to Australian bass David Parkin. Particularly impressive yet again was Sian Sharp who added a particular presence to the latter of her roles.
The rowsing harmonies and entertaining movements of the male chorus were also highlights.
Those on stage, were supported by strong and tight musicality from the orchestra under the baton of Renato Palumbo. From their first bars, we felt the sensitivity that would complete our evening.
There is a new appreciation for opera, and with it a younger first time audience. This is reflected in supportive programme notes: Something to listen out for, Conversation starters, This production is... to In a nutshell.
The composer: Giuseppe Verdi, the god of Italian opera
The music: Gorgeous, sweeping melodies and lush orchestrations
The big hit: La donna e mobile
The setting: Originally Manlua in the 16th century, updated here to the stylish late 1950s
The history: Verdi battled with the censors to get this opera onstage, but it quickly became a huge hit
Look beyond the misogynism in the story to timeless themes such as revenge and forgiveness. Regarded as one of the greatest Verdi operas, musically astounding, with melodies that are ensconsced in our psyches, Rigoletto is an opera that everyone should see at least once in their lives.
Further 2023 season performances on 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26 June.
