Bakuians to see famous "Rigoletto"

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Baku’s Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater invites opera lovers to see the play “Rigoletto" by Giuseppe Verdi on March 29.

The opera is included in the repertoire of all major opera theatres across the world as it always attracts the attention and interest of the public.

Ukrainian Olga Nagornaya, the people’s artist will play the role of Gilda. Olga, who is considered a fantastic performer, has had great many successes throughout her career, performing in over 24 countries.

Talented Belarusian Vladimir Petrov, the laureate of many international competitions will play Rigoletto. He has had several tours to Great Britain, Spain, US, Canada, Italy, Holland, France, Switzerland and Belgium.

Georgian people’s artist Teymuraz Gugshvili will perform as the Duke of Mantua. The artist is also a soloist of the Georgian Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet.

Such national actors as Ali Askerov, Akram Poladov and Sabina Asadova will also perform at the play. Famous Javanshir Jafarov will conduct the play.

The opera is considered by many to be the first of the operatic masterpieces of Verdi's middle-to-late career. Its tragic story revolves around the licentious Duke of Mantua, his hunch-backed court jester Rigoletto, and Rigoletto's beautiful daughter Gilda.

The opera's original title, La maledizione (The Curse), refers to the curse placed on both the Duke and Rigoletto by a courtier whose daughter had been seduced by the Duke following Rigoletto's encouragement. The curse comes to fruition when Gilda falls in love with the Duke and eventually sacrifices her life to save him from the assassins hired by her father.

The play will be staged at 19:00. The address of the venue is Khagani street, 7 and tickets will be sold at 22 and 33 manats.