A curse reawakened – Opera Australia unleashes the iconic Rigoletto

One of Opera Australia’s (OA) most popular and enduring productions, Elijah Moshinsky’s highly acclaimed Rigoletto, is making a triumphant return to the Joan Sutherland Theatre this winter, with opening night on 21 July coinciding exactly with the 70th anniversary of the company’s first performance.

Blending opulence with emotional depth, this “landmark staging” (Limelight) of Verdi’s gripping  masterpiece remains one of the most visually stunning interpretations in OA’s repertoire and is a fitting tribute to the brilliance of Moshinsky and the longevity of the national opera company since its humble beginnings in 1956 as the Elizabethan Opera Trust.

 

 

This winter, internationally renowned baritone Dalibor Jenis will reprise his compelling portrayal of the tormented Rigoletto, with highly sought-after Australian-Chinese tenor Kang Wang returning home to perform the charismatic yet ruthless Duke of Mantua.

Rising star Australian-Korean soprano Gemma Nha returns home after six years abroad to make her long awaited Sydney Opera House debut. Performing as Gilda, a role she has always dreamt of, Gemma will bring vocal purity and emotional depth to one of opera’s most beloved heroines. Verdi’s passionate score is exquisitely brought to life by the Opera Australia Orchestra, led by acclaimed Italian conductor Sesto Quatrini, in his exciting Australian debut, as he expertly guides the cast through every dramatic turn.

Set in a world of glamour, vice and betrayal, Rigoletto tells the story of a court jester torn between loyalty to his master and the fierce love of his daughter, Gilda. When the lustful Duke seduces Gilda, Rigoletto is consumed by a thirst for vengeance, but in a cruel twist of fate, his plan for justice leads to devastating consequences.

 

 

The production is anchored by Michael Yeargan’s epic revolving dollhouse set which offers a breath taking visual centerpiece that heightens the opera’s dramatic intensity and emotional complexity.

Yeargan’s costumes and stage designs, including the scene-stealing Fiat 500, are inspired by Italy’s La Dolce Vita era, evident through both the extravagant spectacle of the Duke’s world and the tragic intimacy of Rigoletto’s. Sweeping party scenes pulse with life, while quiet moments cut to the heart of Verdi’s dark, human story.

When Rigoletto premiered in 1851, Verdi was so confident in its brilliance that he swore the cast to secrecy, forbidding them from even humming the music outside of rehearsal. Today, the score’s unforgettable melodies – from “La donna è mobile” to the devastating final duet – have spread through film, television and pop culture, making Rigoletto instantly recognisable to seasoned opera lovers and first-time audiences alike.

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Season Details

Venue: Sydney Opera House
Date: 21 July–21 Aug 2026

For more information click HERE