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Reason #5: The Publicity Stills! | Edmonton Opera is pulling out all the stops with their production of Rigoletto.

DETAILS

Rigoletto
Jubilee Auditorium
Jubilee Auditorium
Jubilee Auditorium
Saturday, October 24 - Saturday, October 24 Tuesday, October 27 - Tuesday, October 27 Thursday, October 29 - Thursday, October 29

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RIGOLETTO
Directed by David Adams, conducted by Robert Tweten. Music by Giuseppe Verdi. Jubilee Auditorium (11455-87 Ave). Oct 24, 27, 29. Tickets available through Ticketmaster (451-8000/ticketmaster.ca).
There are four big reasons to see Edmonton Opera’s Rigoletto, according to Canadian opera superstar Tracy Dahl. (She’s modest enough not to count her presence in the cast as one of them, but that may be the best reason of all.) In no particular order, here’s her list:

(1) The Music
“Opera music is bold and dramatic,” Dahl says. “And Verdi is a quintessential opera composer. His music is grand and melodic, and has lasted as part of our cultural consciousness for over 150 years. Newcomers to opera get excited when they hear recognizable pieces, and Rigoletto is full of them. It’s easy to get swept away by the drama and romance in this music.”

(2) The Story
“In opera, the story is just as important as the music,” Dahl says. “In Rigoletto, the music beautifully complements the story, and the more I explore it, I’m continually amazed how subtly Verdi uses his music to express the needs and desires of his characters.

“My character, Gilda, operates on a bit of a different plane from the rest of the characters, because she’s been cloistered almost all of her life. Verdi is able to communicate the fact that she’s in a different realm by using unique musical tones and qualities in her pieces. It’s very subtle, but it really helps add to how he tells the story. And of course, because it’s opera, the story is full of curses and vendettas and romance and murder. It’s high drama, and the music helps set that tone.”

(3) The Spectacle
“Opera is famous for its grand scale productions,” Dahl says, “and this production of Rigoletto is really quite a sight to behold. Our designer, Bretta Gerecke, has designed this truly amazing set that makes this Rigoletto look very different from other productions of the same opera. The lighting and the costumes all work together to make the whole show look absolutely spectacular.”

(4) The Magic
“In this age of CDs and mp3s and TV and movies, we’ve lost the sense of the spontaneity of live performance,” Dahl says. “Regaining that spontaneity, that excitement of real, live people performing for a real, live audience, where anything can happen, is truly magical. It’s exciting for both audiences and performers, and gets the adrenalin pumping.

“Not to mention the fact that in this Rigoletto, you have live, unamplified singers at the top of their game, supported by a 60-piece orchestra. The sound is real, not overproduced, not mixed through a soundboard. And then you have the opera chorus — so many fine musicians making magic together. It’s simply amazing.”

And if you’re still not sold, Dahl urges you to keep an open mind. “Give it a try,” she says. “Some people think it’s elitist, but it was popular music in its day, and it truly has staying power. Sure, I sing opera, but I also sing along with the Dixie Chicks in my car. Just because you like the Dixie Chicks doesn’t mean you won’t love the opera. If you’ve never been, I guarantee you’re in for a treat. And if you already love the opera... well, you know what’s in store.”