Rigoletto

This is a film of the 2001 Covent Garden production, directed on stage by David McVicar. The orgy at the start of Rigoletto seems irresistible to many directors and McVicar is no exception in providing nudity and simulated sexual activity. I felt, however that all this was reasonably in keeping with Verdi's general thrust. Marcello Alvarez looks and sounds splendid as the Duke of Mantua. In Act I, with his leather gear and greasy hair he looks like young Elvis. In Act II with a crimson cloak and codpiece he looks more like the old Elvis. Christine Schafer as Gilda has a fragile beauty and a bell-like voice. Paolo Gavanelli has a pleasing light baritone voice in his sympathetic portrayal of the court jester Rigoletto. An excellent record of a very successful stage production.