The Greek National Opera (GNO) presents Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto on the majestic stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus as part of the 2020 Athens and Epidaurus Festival.
Perhaps the darkest of all Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpieces, Rigoletto is brought to life by the acclaimed Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias, the role he has masterfully performed in London, Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels, Venice and Athens. The renowned Greek coloratura soprano Christina Poulitsi will perform in the lead role of Gilda.
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Acclaimed Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias (centre) plays the title role of Rigoletto. Photograph: courtesy of Greek National Opera
Following two historic productions of Rigoletto, directed by the great Spyros Evangelatos (Olympia 1977 and Odeon of Herodes Atticus 2001), Katerina Evangelatos comes to put her own stamp on a work that has been linked with her family – not only with her father Spyros Evangelatos, but also with her grandfather, the top maestro Antiochos Evangelatos, who conducted Rigoletto for the GNO in 1956/57 and 1970/71.
To be performed for 4 evenings in June under the baton of conductor Philippe Auguin.
Rigoletto originally premiered in Venice in 1851.
Why Athens Tip: The performance of Norma will feature subtitles in both English and Greek.
A full house at the Odeon for the Greek National Opera at a previous Athens & Epidaurus Festival. Photograph: Thomas Daskalakis/courtesy of GNO
ABOUT VERDI’S RIGOLETTO
The story unfolds of Gilda’s love for the rakish Duke of Mantua, who presents himself to her as a poor student. She is the daughter of the hunchback court jester Rigoletto. To take revenge on his daughter’s lost honour, Rigoletto formulates a plan to murder the Duke. When Gilda discovers her father’s plans, she decides to rescue her beloved and to sacrifice herself by taking his place.
Giuseppe Verdi turned a new leaf in his career as a composer, experimenting broadly and creating an intensely dramatic score with Rigoletto which matches the contradictory, dark personality of the hero.
TICKETS ARE NOT YET ON SALE – EXPECTED FIRST QUARTER 2020
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