Rigoletto, Mafia-style

Jonathan Miller's hit Mafia-set opera production returns to London in this ENO production! As one of Verdi's most popular operas, the themes of jealousy and revenge remain as relevant today as it ever has, making this hard-hitting tragedy all the more powerful for its timelessness. Weston Hurt leads the cast, with former Music Director of Opera North, Richard Farnes conducting.

What is the story?

Brought forward 300 years from Mantua and now set in 1950s New York's Little Italy, it is the end of World War II and life is beginning to regain a sense of normality. However, danger lurks still in the seedy surrounds, with Hopper-style diners doubling up as brothels and the mob controlling the streets with tommy guns.Our titular hero is a hard-bitten, sarcastic lowly mobster, and the Duke is a ruling godfather who has romantic designs on Rigoletto's beautiful daughter Gilda. Young and innocent, she falls in love with the Duke, much to the rage of her father. Swearing vengeance on the Duke, Rigoletto embarks on a campaign of terror against his betters; however, the joke is very much on him upon the arrival of a body bag, and the contents inside.

This opera features some of the most well-known music in the genre, including the lament 'Women abandon us' ('La donna e mobile'), showing that Verdi's gripping score translates well to an era.