An Exciting Opera? Rigoletto!
An Exciting Opera? Rigoletto!
This programme will be held in Hungarian.
On March 11, 1851, many people's favorite opera began its conquering journey from Venice: Rigoletto. The success is no wonder, as the names Victor Hugo, Piave, and Verdi are a guarantee for it! The story is more than exciting, full of unexpected twists and spicy details throughout, hence the censorship was reluctant to release the libretto. It's a psychological drama, with choruses and duets, and Rigoletto's grand aria brings tears to the eyes! This irresistible music has been steadily holding its place on the top 10 list of the most performed and the most popular operas for 175 years!
What makes an opera exciting? The story or the music? Rigoletto has both! Victor Hugo's drama The King Amuses Himself was banned the day after its premiere! This is the piece Verdi chose, from which Francesco Maria Piave – who penned the librettos of the most successful Verdi operas – created an excellent libretto again twenty years after the scandalous premiere of the stage play. The orchestra sparkles and, according to Verdi's own statement, Rigoletto is a “series of duets” without arias and a finale. There are many unusual elements in the opera that keep the audience thrilled throughout, even if they have seen the piece many times! It’s actually a crime story and a psychological study in one: the question of external and internal beauty, the decisions of a lover, the “moral assassin” and “immoral noble” make the audience think! Besides, it concludes with a spine-chilling, fantastic last act, featuring a brilliant quartet and the repetition of “La donna è mobile,” one of the most popular tenor arias, which unusually appears twice in the piece. Catchy melodies and distinct themes characterize the characters. Overall, it is a brilliant masterpiece, and this afternoon the audience of Hangadó Senior can delve deeper into several segments of it. The one shedding light on the curiosities is the presenter: Dóra Tápai, conductor, high school music teacher, and music educator at the House of Music. What to expect? A good atmosphere, interesting stories, and play. A little shared activity, as usual, and Verdi's excellent music!
Our series Hangadó Senior is especially aimed at older participants, but of course we welcome anyone who is interested. The aim of the series is to act as a club and to playfully tell a chapter of music history in an hour-long interactive journey through time.
Language: Hungarian
Rock Troubadours (US, 70s): CSNY, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, Roy Harper
