Under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy, Pellegrini Opera presents Verdi’s Rigoletto

The Capital’s only full-production opera company, Pellegrini Opera, brings its version of “Game of Thrones” to Dominion-Chalmers United Church on Saturday, April 16 at 7:30 pm with its one-time performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto.

The production, under the stellar creative direction of Vincent Thomas, stars internationally acclaimed baritone Jeffrey Carl as Rigoletto, local soprano Susan Elizabeth Brown as Gilda and Gatineau’s Andrzej Stec as the Duke of Mantua.  Kyle McDonald as Sparafucile, the cut throat, and Cassandra Warner as Maddalena, his sister, complete the main cast. Maestro Vito Lo Re, who is based in Milan, Italy, has returned to Ottawa to conduct the Pellegrini Opera Orchestra for the occasion.

This live and fully-costumed production with super titles in both English and French, features all the characteristics of a well-spun story of passion, revenge, espionage and murder where the innocent love of a court jester’s daughter is taken advantage of by the ruthless duke. The jester (Rigoletto) seeks payback but tragedy results in a setting where curses have the ultimate power. Such is the dark world that is Verdi’s masterpiece set further in mystery by Thomas with his intriguing tarot theme.

Advance tickets are available at both Compact Music locations, The Leading Note, Books on Beechwood, and through pellegriniopera.net. and range in price from $20 to $40.  Children 12 years of age and under are free. Tickets are also available at the door. Website: http://www.pellegriniopera.net/