The Dante Society of Westerly is holding an Italian film night at Westerly Library!
Tonight's selection is Rigoletto (1982, 128 minutes), an opera by Giuseppe Verdi, performed by Luciano Pavarotti--This extraordinarily powerful 1983 production may be the best-sung
performance by Luciano Pavarotti on DVD, according to reviews.
Verdi gave the deformed jester
Rigoletto a depth and complexity of character that is reflected in
music of great variety and enormous emotional impact: the cruel
mockery of the opening scene, the self-doubts inspired by his dialogue
with Sparafucile, the paternal anxieties and final despair at his
daughter's sad fate, and the burning, self-destructive thirst for
revenge. All these motives work their way into music of great dramatic
richness, variety, and intensity. Wixell rises to its challenges, not
only in the title role but in a cameo appearance as Rigoletto's nemesis
Monterone. Location filming provides an atmosphere unavailable in
staged productions.
