Foreign artists in ‘Rigoletto’ at CCP

MANILA, Philippines - The full-length opera Rigoletto by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi will be staged on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. at the CCP Main Theater. The title role will be played by internationally acclaimed and multi-awarded Korean baritone Daesan No, with soprano Yun Kyoung Yi and tenor Jae Wook Lee in the other major roles. Other performers include Filipino noted vocalists Ronan Ferrer, Nenen Espina, Thea Perez, Jun Francis Jaranilla, Noel Azcona, and the male members of the Coro Tomasino. Musical director Jae Joon Lee will conduct the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra while Floy Quintos will be the stage director. The opera is presented by the CCP in cooperation with the Filipino Opera Society Foundation Inc., Bohol Restoration Group, and the Rustan Group of Companies.

Rigoletto, an opera in four acts, is considered by many to be the first of Verdi’s masterpieces during the latter part of his career. Its tragic story revolves around the licentious Duke of Mantua, his hunchback 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 with Rigoletto’s encouragement. The curse comes to fruition when Gilda likewise falls in love with the Duke and eventually sacrifices her life to save him from the assassins hired by her father.

Ticket prices for the Aug. 22 fala (7 p.m.) are P2000, P1500, P800, P500. Tickets for the Aug. 24 Matinee (3 p.m.) are P1200, P800, P500, P300. Discounts are 50 percent for students and 20 percent for senior citizens, government and military employees.

Proceeds of the production will go to the rehabilitation of the heritage sites in Bohol destroyed by the recent earthquake and typhoon Yolanda through the Bohol Restoration Group.

For inquiries, contact the CCP Box Office at 832-3704.