An Opera in Three Acts by Verdi
S.B. from Manchester

Cast:
The Station Chorus:
Chorus Master, S.H. Whittaker
The Augmented Station Orchestra, conducted by T.H. Morrison

Rigoletto is one of Verdi's earlier operas. It was produced in 1851, and its composer died just half a century later. It is in the older discontinuous style (with set songs, etc.), and is very Italian in its type of tune and in its expression of passion. The plot is based upon a play of Victor Hugo, Le Roi s'amuse (The King's Diversion).

Act I
A Palace. The Duke of Mantua is a Don Juan, against whose attentions no woman is safe. He is indebted for help in his schemes to his jester, Rigoletto. The courtiers naturally have much reason to hate both Duke and Jester. The Count Monterone is angry on account of the wrongs done to his daughter. Rigoletto jeers at Monterone, who utters a parent's curse upon both Duke and Jester. The Duke is merely amused, but the Jester is terrified.

Act II
A Street by Rigoletto's House. Intimidated by the curse, Rigoletto makes a compact with an assassin, Sparafucile, whose help is henceforth to be at his service in case of need.
Rigoletto now goes into his garden, where he finds his daughter, Gilda. She conceals from him the fact that a young man is hidden on the premises. The young man (though she does not know it) is the Duke. The courtiers, by a ruse, abduct Gilda and carry her off to the palace. Rigoletto discovers what has happened and, with horror, recalls the curse.