Rigoletto goes to London in Vancouver Opera's season opener

Yongzhao Yu (Duke of Mantua) and ensemble

Sarah Dufresne (Gilda) and Michael Chioldi (Rigoletto)

Sarah Dufresne (Gilda), Michael Chioldi (Rigoletto), Yongzhao Yu (Duke), Emma Parkinson (Maddalena)

Michael Chioldi (Rigoletto) and ensemble

By Kevin W Ng, 31 October 2025

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“her bright, girlish soprano recalls the French lyric-coloraturas of the past”

Reviewed at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver on 30 October 2025

Verdi, Rigoletto

Vancouver Opera

Jacques Lacombe, Conductor

Glynis Leyshon, Director

Vancouver Opera Orchestra

Vancouver Opera Chorus

Michael Chioldi, Rigoletto

Sarah Dufresne, Gilda

Yongzhao Yu, The Duke of Mantua

Nathan Berg, Sparafucile

Emma Parkinson, Maddalena

Neil Craighead, Monterone

Marianne Bertrand, Giovanna

Jason Cook, Count Ceprano

Julia Lorusso, Countess Ceprano

Lyndon Ladeur, Borsa

Mihnea Nitu, Marullo

Henry Chen, Court Usher

Heather Molloy, Page

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

Vancouver Opera’s Rigoletto redeemed by its cast

Kevin W Ng, 3rd October

Vancouver Opera's opening production of the 2015-16 season features an ideal cast let down by stale production

***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

Montreal's Otello ticks the boxes

Patricia Maunder, 30th January

An impressive trio of international singers carry Opéra de Montréal's traditional new production of this Verdi tragedy.

****1

A sorta fairy tale: Sleepers Awake premieres at Opera Philadelphia

Cameron Kelsall, 22nd April

A new opera by Gregory Spears subverts the Sleeping Beauty trope, with middling results.

**111

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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.

Rigoletto goes to Victorian London in Vancouver Opera's season opener