Rigoletto – Verdi Opera Plot
Verdi’s Famous Opera Court Jester Rigoletto
Rigoletto an Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi. Rigoletto plot summary, Rigoletto character list, and other opera information about Rigoletto. Links to other Verdi Operas.
Giuseppe Verdi’s Italian Opera Rigoletto
Composed:1850-51
First Rigoletto Performance:March 11, 1851, Teatro la Fenice, Venice (Italy)
Rigoletto's Libretto:Francesco Maria Piave based on Victor Hugo’s Le roi s’amuse
Rigoletto's Setting:Mantua, Italy; 16th century
Melodramatic Opera in 3 acts
The Main Characters in Rigoletto
- Duke of Mantua, (tenor)
- Rigoletto, the Duke’s hunchback court jester (baritone)
- Gilda, Rigoletto’s daughter(soprano)
- Count Ceprano, a nobleman (bass)
- Countess Ceprano, his wife(mezzo soprano)
- Count Monterone, nobleman and enemy of the Duke (baritone)
- Sparafucile, an assassin (bass)
- Maddalena, Sparafucile’s sister (contralto)
Basic Plot Summary of Rigoletto
Act I
The Duke of Mantua’s court jester, Rigoletto, makes fun a Count Ceprano while the Duke is seducing the Count’s wife. Members of the court suggest to the Count that he should kidnap Rigoletto’s mistress as revenge. They are unaware that Gilda is actually Rigoletto’s daughter, not his lover. Count Monterone, his daughter also seduced by the Duke, attacks the Duke and is arrested. Rigoletto makes fun of Monterone, who curses him. Rigoletto is on his way home. The assassin Sparafucile stops Rigoletto. Sparafucile offers his services to him if ever needed. Gilda embraces her father. Rigoletto urges her to lock herself in the house, fearing for her safety. The Duke, disguised as a student, realizes that Gilda is Rigoletto’s daughter and enters declaring his love for her. A group comes to kidnap Gilda. (they believe that she is Rigoletto’s mistress) They trick Rigoletto, telling him they are there to capture Ceprano’s wife. Rigoletto is blindfolded, allowing Gilda to be abducted. Hearing Gilda’s screams, Rigoletto is reminded of Monterone’s curse.
Act II
The Duke hears that Gilda has been abducted and is happy to hear that she is now in the palace. Rigoletto arrives at the palace and realizes that Gilda is with the Duke. Rigoletto is deeply upset. Gilda tells her father that she is in love with the Duke. (in disguise as a student) They who kidnapped Gilda are shocked to learn that she is Rigoletto’s daughter rather than his mistress. Monterone is arrested. Rigoletto swears revenge.
Act III
Rigoletto and Gilda go to visit Sparafucile. Rigoletto has paid for the Duke to be killed. Gilda knows nothing of her father’s plan and still is in love with the Duke. Rigoletto takes Gilda to a tavern, where they see the Duke flirting with Maddelena, Sparafucile’s sister. Rigoletto points out the Duke to Sparafucile as the man to kill. Sparafucile’s sister talks him out of the murder. Sparafucile agrees to kill the next person that walks through the door. Gilda enters, trying to save the Duke. She is stabbed. Sparafucile gives Rigoletto a bag containing the body of the person he has stabbed. Rigoletto hears the Duke’s voice. Knowing that Sparafucile has not killed the Duke, Rigoletto cuts open the sack to reveal his dieing daughter, Gilda. She begs her father’s forgiveness then dies. Monterone’s curse on Rigoletto is fulfilled.
If you like the opera, Rigoletto, here are some other operas written by Verdi:
- Nabucco
- I Lombardi alla prima crociata
- Ernani
- Attila
- Macbeth
- Luisa Miller
- Rigoletto
- Il Trovatore
- La Traviata
- Simon Boccanegra
- Un ballo in maschera
- La forza del destino
- Don Carlos
- Aida
- Otello
- Falstaff
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