On Sunday, July 14, the 65th Split Summer festival will begin with the premiere performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera ‘Rigoletto’ at Peristyle. For the first time in the long tradition of the festival, this Verdi masterpiece, one of the most popular and most liked operas in history, and the first part of his “Latin” or “Romantic” trilogy, will take this famous Split summer stage, reports Dalmatinski Portal on July 6, 2019.
Under the direction of Ivo Lipanović, and directed by Drazen Siriščević, ‘Rigoletto’ will be performed by the orchestra and choir of the Croatian National Theater in Split and soloists. The title role will be baritone Elia Fabbian, the soprano Elena Mosuc will interpret the role of Gilda, the Duke of Mantua will be tenor Francesco Marsiglia, Ivica Čikeš will play Sparafucile, and Maddalena will be performed by mezzo-soprano Terezija Kusanović. Apart from the premiere, the second performance is scheduled for July 17th.
Other roles include Bjanka Ivas, Ivan Šarić, Marko Lasić, Spiro Boban, Vinko Maroević, Mate Akrap, Ivona Bosančić Lasić, Vlatko Belas and Tea Požgaj. Set designer Slaven Raos, costume designer Juraj Zigman, choreographer Igor Kirov, choir artist Frane Kuss, stage lighting Srđan Barbarić, assistant director Jelena Bosančić and conducting assistant Jure Bučević are also featured in the team.
Director Dražen Siriščević, who, as the operatic director, made his debut at the Split Festival five years ago, said:
“Giuseppe Verdi did not particularly try to present the story of human destinies from the 16th century faithfully in the reconstruction of the musical expression of the high Renaissance. On the contrary, he was free to use all available musical instruments of his time. With the contemporary music language of the 19th century, he painted a 300-year-old story that he had experienced as a contemporary. Today, in the 21st century, on the verge of this Verdi approach, ours will answer all the questions and challenges of his music theater from the perspective of the time we live in. It will be July 2019, and at Peristyle.”
The premiere performance on July 14 begins after the opening ceremony of the 65th Split Summer at 21:00.
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