With a plot that crashes the boat of status, power and morals with the waves of deceit, lust and anger, Rigoletto – composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1851 – is a tragic opera that tells the story of a cursed court jester, Rigoletto, who serves the womanizing Duke of Mantua. Currently being staged in Cardiff’s Wales Millenium Centre by WNO, when the jester’s relentless protective love for his daughter, Gilda, clashes with his work for the morally corrupt and untrusting Duke who later seduces Gilda, unfortunate events lead to Rigoletto’s plot to seek justice on the promiscuous Duke.
Evidently well-directed by Adele Thomas, who is starting her journey at the helm of the WNO in January, the cast are truly remarkable. In addition to the incredible voices that resonate around the Donald Gordon Theatre, the acting weaves itself thoughtfully into an overall cohesive performance.
Soraya Mafi excels as Gilda, matching her heavenly voice with a playful innocence, alongside the effortlessly charming Raffaele Abete – who performs the piece’s most recognisable aria, La Donna È Mobile, with stylish ease as Duke, complimented by the contrast in Daniel Luis De Vicente’s powerful presence as a bitterly vengeful Rigoletto. Nathanaël Tavernier and Alyona Abramova encapsulate the deceptive, fickle, power-chasing themes of the piece with clever, charming and beautifully ugly renditions of Sparafucile and Maddalena.

A stunning white dress, with red sun and leaf shapes, frames the rise and fall of Gilda, thanks to the efforts of the costume department. The set, revealed via a juxtaposed curtain, is both simplistic and grand – giving a dolls’ house-esque feel at times, yet feeding into the themes of power, manipulation and control. The use of clever side and footlights cast overbearing shadows onto a squared moveable backdrop, adding drama where needed, whilst ladders are used to scale the impressive graph-like wall and reach rectangular windows at the top.
Amongst the celebration of a fantastic first night were supporters spreading awareness concerning the future of WNO in response to proposed funding cuts. Judging by the audience’s reaction in Cardiff, it would be a great loss to the artform if WNO couldn’t continue to soar as it does with Rigoletto.
Rigoletto, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sat 21 Sept
Also on Fri 27 Sept, Tue 1 Oct and Fri 1 Oct. Tickets: £21-£87. Info: here
words JOSEPH ELIJAH