Verdi: Rigoletto

At the court of the handsome young Duke of Mantua, pleasure is everything. But love comes a poor second to lust, and the jokes of the Duke's hunchbacked jester Rigoletto have a vicious sting. In Verdi's classic tragedy an assignation, a curse and a cruel jest all come together to fuel a revenge tragedy that spins terrifyingly out of control. Rigoletto is Verdi at the absolute top of his game; a red-blooded bel canto thriller, pulsing with melody and composed at fever-heat – and this lavish updated production from Florence stars the great Javier Camereno as the womanising Duke.