Rigoletto

Director Oliver Mears presents a chilling interpretation of Verdi's tale of vengeance and loss, revealing the psychological horror at its core. Set in a sleek, corporate world governed by power and cruelty, this, ''thrilling new production'' (The Times ★★★★) brims with Shakespearean irony, drawing out the torment of the hunchbacked jester, whose physical deformity symbolizes the moral decay surrounding him. Carlos Álvarez gives a compelling performance as Rigoletto, his voice laden with anguish as his tragic fate unravels. Lisette Oropesa’s Gilda sings with remarkable tonal beauty, but there is no romanticizing the tragedy here—every betrayal and death is a harsh reckoning with fate. Mears delivers a masterclass in opera direction, further elevated by Antonio Pappano’s commanding conducting. Don’t miss the return of "La donna è mobile" in the final act, where we discover who truly has the last laugh.