Rigoletto - AHB

Rigoletto was another fantastic performance by the State Opera company, and it was made even better when we were taken from the nosebleed seats to the third row center. In terms of plot there is so much going on in this show that could easily provide pages of blogging. I don't want to give a synopsis because there are plenty around.

The meat of the plot revolves around three characters: the Duke, his jester Rigoletto, and Rigoletto's daughter Gilda. The Duke is the classic playboy character who reviles in his power and position with the help of plentiful amounts of wine and skirts. He plays the game of lust and conquest because that is all that he sees. However, despite his hatred of love, he cannot help but be won over by the innocence and charm of Gilda. She is the absolute counterpoint to his selfishness, hedonism, and vanity.

Because the Duke does not really understand love, and it's irrational offspring sacrifice, he abandons his short-lived fidelity for the fecund fields of Maddelena. So far, no big surprises but it is coming. At Rigoletto's behest, Gilda spies on her lover and witnesses his shameful actions. But she also finds out that Maddelena is setting a trap for the Duke that will cost him his life. Gilda, seemingly the least vengeful woman in all of history, decides that she still loves the Duke (apparently their week long romance was pretty good) and she tricks the assassins into killing her instead of her love. I generally fail to comprehend the actions of woman, so I'm giving up on this one.

The story consistently points to the the duplicity of the Duke, and this becomes a major theme. Several times the Duke is heard singing "La Donna E Mobile"(one of the greatest songs in the history of opera), which is an aria about the unfaithfulness of women (bad breakup, eh?). Bad things always happen when you apply a single experience to an entire category of people. We never learn how the Duke responds to the death of Gilda, much less if he ever finds out her motivation. But I can imagine that would be a pretty significant moment in his life.