Vancouver Opera’s Rigoletto redeemed by its cast

By Kevin W Ng, 04 October 2015

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“Hawkins plays the role of Rigoletto as a fully sympathetic Byronesque hero”

Reviewed at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver on 3 October 2015

Verdi, Rigoletto

Vancouver Opera

Jonathan Darlington, Conductor

Nancy Hermiston, Director

Gordon Hawkins, Rigoletto

Simone Osborne, Gilda

Bruce Sledge, The Duke of Mantua

Matthew Treviño, Sparafucile

Carolyn Sproule, Maddalena

Francesca Corrado, Giovanna

Willy Miles Grenzberg, Count Ceprano

Eden Tremayne, Countess Ceprano, Page

Marcel d'Entremont, Borsa

Cameron McPhail, Monterone

Zachary Read, Marullo

Angus Bell, Court Usher

Rigoletto goes to London in Vancouver Opera's season opener

Kevin W Ng, 30th October

Sarah Dufresne shines as Gilda in Glynis Leyshon’s gloomy staging of Rigoletto, set in Victorian London.

****1

Into the Woods: Vancouver Opera's new Hansel and Gretel

Kevin W Ng, 29th November

Vancouver Opera's compact, effective Hansel and Gretel satisfies adults and children alike.

****1

Muhly's Dark Sisters comes to Vancouver

Kevin W Ng, 26th November

Vancouver Opera's bold presentation of Nico Muhly's Dark Sisters is enjoyable but less audacious than its subject matter might suggest

***11

Sweeney Todd cuts a dash in Vancouver

Kevin W Ng, 25th April

Vancouver Opera's updated Sweeney Todd is an incisive and disconcerting theatrical experience, backed by a musically excellent cast

****1

Diamonds and steel: Anna Pirozzi rules in La Scala’s Turandot revival

Laura Servidei, 12th April

Visually enchanting and meticulously staged, this centenary revival confirms Livermore's production as a modern classic.

****1

Art imitates art in ETO’s bracing new Pagliacci

Dominic Lowe, 10th April

Divorced from Cavalleria rusticana, English Touring Opera’s contemporary take on Leoncavallo’s masterpiece ticks all the boxes.

****1

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Kevin W Ng

Kevin writes about music and culture, with a focus on opera. Originally trained as a violinist, he has a particular interest in 20th-century music. He is currently based in New York City.