Rigoletto

The film "Rigoletto" is marvellous and quite electrifying, every scene is so meaningful -- high drama at its best, I call it -- and so well acted by Gobbi, a master of his craft. What a pity I've waited six decades before having the privilege of seeing it.

The main plot centres on the Duke's philandering ways and the misfortune he has brought down upon the families at court who have suffered from his escapades, in other words, no maiden is safe when the Duke is around.

Rigoletto has a lovely daughter, Gilda, that no one knows about. The Duke has been intent on secretly courting her in the disguise of a student and has entered the house. However one night she is abducted from her home while Rigoletto unwittingly aids the courtiers involved for they blindfolded him and he does not realize until too late that it was not the neighbour's house but his own house and his daughter who were targeted by the abductors. In later scenes Rigoletto plans on his revenge for injustices done but it has surprising consequences.

If you like a riveting dramatic opera, you've got it here. Don't miss it.

This film was actually shot at the Rome opera house. It was originally made in black and white but may have been coloured later on. The only singer not acting her own part is Lina Pagliughi, at that time dealing with quite severe weight problems. The cast is very good, Tito Gobbi's interpretation of Rigoletto being quite convincing, although the voice is too light and lacking in darkness for my taste. Mario Filipesci is a tailor-made duke and Giulio Neri, the only true basso profondo ever to emerge from Italy, is simply the greatest Sparafucile of all time. The smaller roles are fairly well cast. The beauty of this production is that here you can see opera as it should be produced. Period, sincere, with commitment, and well sung. Some might complain about the acting, but then again, opera is mainly about the quality of singing. If you want acting, go to the theatre. Rarely you can have both. Trust me as a professional opera singer (basso profondo, this is really a production to enjoy.

Rigoletto is one of my favourite Verdi operas not just for the intriguing characters and story but especially for the music which, with Cortigiani, the quartet, La Donna e Mobile, Ella Mi Fa Rapita...Parmi Veder Le Lagrime, Caro Nomme, the wonderful duets between Gilda and Rigoletto and the chilling La Maledizione, is magnificent.

Alongside the 1982 Jean Pierre Ponelle film, this is my favourite Rigoletto. The orchestral playing and conducting do perfect justice to this amazing score, and the settings, photography and costumes still look absolutely beautiful.

The performances are outstanding. Gilda is sung with an appealing tone and is acted beguilingly, while Mario Fillepeshi is perfect as the Duke of Mantua and one of the best tenors in the role and I don't think I know a Sparafucile better than Guilio Neri(though Martti Talvela on the 1971 Bonynge recording comes close).

Tito Gobbi however is a revelation in this very difficult title role. Vocally, perhaps he is not entirely ideal, I too think Rigoletto needs a darker voice, however Gobbi does do a superb job with a moving Cortigiani and La Maledizione was enough to chill the blood. Gobbi did have a good voice that he used with great skill, it's just that it wasn't what I call powerful and it wasn't always beautiful either. However, as an interpretation Gobbi is one of the best, his acting and musicianship here as it always was is extraordinary.

All in all, one of the best Rigolettos there is. 10/10 Bethany Cox