Verdi's RIGOLETTO

The enormous popularity of Verdi’s Rigoletto rests on the power of its drama and the richness of its music. The Duke of Mantua is the personification of the axiom that “ absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Aided by his vicious hunchbacked jester, Rigoletto, the Duke uses his royal authority to violate women at will. Outraged husbands and fathers are helpless in the face of this authoritarian abuse and are degraded by the sting of Rigoletto’s scorn. Count Monterone bursts into a Ducal party and verbally assaults the ruler for having dishonored his daughter. Rigoletto taunts Monterone’s outrage but is met with a withering“father’s curse.” The shock of the court is especially felt by Rigoletto who has a daughter that he has kept secret to protect her from the Duke. When the courtiers think Gilda is Rigoletto’s mistress they abduct her for the pleasure of the Duke. Continually haunted by the “father’s curse,” Rigoletto swears revenge upon his master and this fast-paced drama leads us to the grimly tragic conclusion.

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