
In Rigoletto, the deformed figure of the hunchbacked jester at the Mantuan court acts as a foil to his cynical and powerful master, an unscrupulous philanderer contrasted with his cruel and unforgiving fool. Rigoletto encourages and welcomes the Duke's conquests, pitilessly mocking his victims until he discovers that the Duke has abducted the one person he genuinely loves, his own daughter. As a result, the character of the court jester is transformed into a tragic figure who, in spite of his evident immorality and malice, allows us to sense the devotion he feels for his daughter and his horror at being destroyed by the same despotic world as that which he himself has helped to create.

as Duke of Mantua

as Rigoletto

as Gilda

as Sparafucile

as Magdalena

as Giovanna

as Count of Monterone

as Marullo

as Matteo Borsa

as Count of Ceprano

as Countesse of Ceprano

as Countess of Ceprano

as Courtmaster

as Paggio