Description

The Greek National Opera presents on GNO TV Rigoletto, Giuseppe Verdi’s dark masterpiece, on GNO TV, conducted by Derrick Inouye, with stage direction by Katerina Evangelatos, and revival direction by Ion Kesoulis. oN the title role the renowned Greek baritone, Dimitri Platanias.

Rigoletto is one of the most popular operas in the repertoire. In this work, Verdi transitions to a new chapter in his compositional career, presenting a musical composition with a distinct mark and an increased mood for experimentation. The shifts between lyrical and dramatic scenes ensure a continuous flow of the plot at a high speed. The story revolves around the love of Gilda, the daughter of the hunchback jester of the court –Rigoletto–, for the promiscuous Duke of Mantua, who presents himself to her as a poor student. To take revenge for his daughter’s lost honour, Rigoletto plans the Duke’s murder. When Gilda finds out about her father’s plans, she decides to save her beloved by sacrificing herself in his place.

The production, which premiered to great success in the summer of 2022 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, is staged by Katerina Evangelatos, the artistic director of the Athens Epidaurus Festival. The director chose to shed light upon Rigoletto’s contradictory and dark personality, relocating the storyline to the decadent Italian countryside of the 1980s. 

The funding body of the project is the Ministry of Culture, within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan "Greece 2.0" with funding from the European Union - NextGeneration EU.



The recording of the production took place at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on July 27 and 30, 2025.

At a glance – Synopsis

Act I / Sixteenth-century Mantua, a hall in the ducal palace. During a celebration in the palace, the Duke of Mantua relates his latest adventures to his courtiers. He talks about a beautiful young woman that he noticed in church and means to pursue. At the same time he flirts with Countess Ceprano. Rigoletto, the hunchback jester of the court, mocks the Countess’s unfortunate husband and encourages the Duke to banish or even execute him. When Marullo, a nobleman, spreads the rumour that Rigoletto has been seen with a mistress, the courtiers decide to take revenge on him by abducting her. Another nobleman, Count Monterone, chastises the Duke for dishonouring his daughter. Rigoletto’s sarcastic reply brings down Monterone’s anathema on both Rigoletto and the Duke.

An alley near Rigoletto’s house. Rigoletto continues to think of the curse as he returns home. On the way, he meets Sparafucile, a hired assassin who offers his services. When he reaches his house, Gilda, his daughter, assures him that while he is away she only leaves the house to go to church. However, when she is left alone with her governess, she apologetically confesses that she did not tell her father about a young man whom she met in church, who is in fact the Duke. Just as she declares her love for him, the Duke, who has been listening to their conversation, emerges from his hiding place to announce his feelings for her, presenting himself in the guise of a poor student. Meanwhile, the courtiers Ceprano, Borsa and Marullo arrive outside the house to abduct the girl that they mistakenly consider Rigoletto’s mistress. When Rigoletto appears, they tell him that they are planning to abduct Countess Ceprano and ask for his help. He accepts, and they succeed in blindfolding him. When he realises the truth, it is too late: the courtiers have already abducted Gilda.

Act II / In the Duke’s Palace. The courtiers inform the Duke that they have abducted Rigoletto’s mistress. Realising that they speak of Gilda, he rushes to his bedchamber in order to stay alone with her. Rigoletto begs them to set her free, and they at last realise that they have abducted his daughter, not his mistress. After the appearance of Gilda, who feels in love but also remorseful, Rigoletto swears vengeance.

Act III / A deserted bank of the river Mincio near Mantua. Rigoletto and Gilda reach Sparafucile’s inn. Rigoletto wants to have the Duke killed and makes arrangements with the assassin, while Gilda watches the Duke flirt with Maddalena, Sparafucile’s sister. Maddalena feels attracted to the Duke, and she tries to persuade Sparafucile to spare him. He promises that if someone else comes along before the time allotted, he will kill that person instead of their visitor. Gilda, overhearing this conversation, decides to sacrifice herself. She knocks on the door and, disguised as a man, she enters the inn.

Rigoletto reappears to claim the lifeless body, which has been placed in a sack for easy disposal. He pays Sparafucile and is about to cast the body into the river, when he suddenly hears the Duke’s voice. Bewildered, he opens the sack to find Gilda, on the brink of death. He recalls the curse one last time, and the curtain falls.

Creative team – Cast

Director's note

Photos & videos

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