LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER: NEW YORK CITY OPERA: VERDI, RIGOLETTO {ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES} {TAPE 1 OF 2} (TV)
Summary
Tape one of two. One in this series on the performing arts. In this program -- one in a series of live broadcasts from the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City -- the New York City Opera performs Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto," an opera in three acts, sung in Italian with English subtitles. Host Beverly Sills introduces the opera. Act I, Scene 1 takes place in the Duke of Mantua's palace: partying with his courtiers, the Duke sings about the joys of seducing women and promiscuity. His advances on the Count Ceprano's wife lead the jester, Rigoletto, to taunt the Count; the Count and other courtiers plot vengeance for Rigoletto's constant taunts. Monterone arrives at the court and curses the Duke for dishonoring his daughter, and Rigoletto for mocking his suffering. Between scenes one and two of Act I, Sills takes the viewer behind the scenes during a change of scenery and to show the skill and effort that goes in to dismantling the Duke's Court set and construction the set for Gilda's house, where scene two takes place.
In Scene 2, the Duke arrives at Gilda's house for a secret rendezvous. Nearby, Sparafucile approaches Rigoletto -- who despairs over the curse placed on him -- and offers his services as a hired killer. Rigoletto turns down his offer, then sings about his hatred for the Duke and his Courtiers, blaming them for his evil ways. Rigoletto enters Gilda's house and joins her on the terrace; they about Gilda's long-deceased mother and Rigoletto's determination to protect Gilda from men and other court-related dangers. When Rigoletto leaves, Gilda sings about deceiving her father by having an affair with a strange young man. Eavesdropping, the Duke -- Gilda's young man -- learns Gilda's identity and decides to conceal his own identity from her. He joins her on the terrace and sings of his love to her; Gilda joins the Duke in a farewell duet. As the Duke departs, courtiers gather outside Gilda's house. Believing her to be Rigoletto's mistress, they plot to abduct her; when Rigoletto arrives, they trick him into aiding their abduction. As they leave, Rigoletto learns of their deception; as he moans about the evil courtiers, Sparafucile reappears, bringing Scene 2 to a close.
During intermission, Sills talks to Director Tito Capobianco and Assistant Director Gigi Elena, also Capobianco's wife. Sills tells a story about the production's 24-foot statue of the Duke, leading to a larger discussion about the production's design. Capobianco and Elena talk about their professional and personal partnership. Sills and Capobianco discuss the characters in "Rigoletto"; Capobianco characterizes them as dishonest and unlikable; Capobianco and Elena agree that in the present day, the Duke would be seen as a "rouge" and "libertine." After a short pause in the program, Sills talks with Faith Esham, who plays Gilda in the production. Sills praises Esham, describing her as the perfect Gilda in voice and appearance. Esham and Sills discuss Verdi's Gilda, from her morality to the voice requirements for the role.
As Act II begins, the Duke returns to his palace and sings about the disappearance of his beloved Gilda. The courtiers enter and tell the duke about their abduction of Rigoletto's "mistress," alerting the Duke to Gilda's presence in his palace. The Duke sings about the power of love before entering his chambers. Rigoletto appears, demanding the courtiers return his daughter. The courtiers refuse to divulge her whereabouts, but let slip that the Duke is in his bedchamber. Rigoletto struggles to gain access to the bedchamber, but is denied. The tape ends as Rigoletto begs the courtiers to take pity on him and return his daughter. Continues with T:76554. Tape one of two. One in this series on the performing arts. In this program -- one in a series of live broadcasts from the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City -- the New York City Opera performs Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto," an opera in three acts, sung in Italian with English subtitles. Host Beverly Sills introduces the opera. Act I, Scene 1 takes place in the Duke of Mantua's palace: partying with his courtiers, the Duke sings about the joys of seducing women and promiscuity. His advances on the Count Ceprano's wife lead the jester, Rigoletto, to taunt the Count; the Count and other courtiers plot to avenge Rigoletto for his constant taunts. Monterone arrives at the court and curses the Duke for dishonoring his daughter, and Rigoletto for mocking his suffering. Between scenes one and two of Act I, Sills takes the viewer behind the scenes during a change of scenery and to show the skill and effort that goes in to dismantling the Duke's Court set and construction the set for Gilda's house, where scene two takes place.
In Scene 2, the Duke arrives at Gilda's house for a secret rendezvous. Nearby, Sparafucile approaches Rigoletto -- who despairs over the curse placed on him -- and offers his services as a hired killer. Rigoletto turns down his offer, then sings about his hatred for the Duke and his Courtiers, blaming them for his evil ways. Rigoletto enters Gilda's house and joins her on the terrace; they about Gilda's long-deceased mother and Rigoletto's determination to protect Gilda from men and other court-related dangers. When Rigoletto leaves, Gilda sings about deceiving her father by having an affair with a strange young man. Eavesdropping, the Duke -- Gilda's young man -- learns Gilda's identity and decides to conceal his own identity from her. He joins her on the terrace and sings of his love to her; Gilda joins the Duke in a farewell duet. As the Duke departs, courtiers gather outside Gilda's house. Believing her to be Rigoletto's mistress, they plot to abduct her; when Rigoletto arrives, they trick him into aiding their abduction. As they leave, Rigoletto learns of their deception; as he moans about the evil courtiers, Sparafucile reappears, bringing Scene 2 to a close. During intermission, Sills talks to Director Tito Capobianco and Assistant Director Gigi Elena, also Capobianco's wife. Sills tells a story about the production's 24-foot statue of the Duke, leading to a larger discussion about the production's design. Capobianco and Elena talk about their professional and personal partnership. Sills and Capobianco discuss the characters in "Rigoletto"; Capobianco characterizes them as dishonest and unlikable; Capobianco and Elena agree that in the present day, the Duke would be seen as a "rouge" and "libertine."
After a short pause in the program, Sills talks with Faith Esham, who plays Gilda in the production. Sills praises Esham, describing her as the perfect Gilda in voice and appearance. Esham and Sills discuss Verdi's Gilda, from her morality to the voice requirements for the role. As Act II begins, the Duke returns to his palace and sings about the disappearance of his beloved Gilda. The courtiers enter and tell the duke about their abduction of Rigoletto's "mistress," alerting the Duke to Gilda's presence in his palace. The Duke sings about the power of love before entering his chambers. Rigoletto appears, demanding the courtiers return his daughter. The courtiers refuse to divulge her whereabouts, but let slip that the Duke is in his bedchamber. Rigoletto struggles to gain access to the bedchamber, but is denied. The tape ends as Rigoletto begs the courtiers to take pity on him and return his daughter. Continues with T:76554.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Edward John Noble Foundation.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: September 21, 1988 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:40:34
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:76553
- GENRE: Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Operas
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1976-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- John Goberman … Producer
- Marc Bauman … Coordinating Producer
- Karen McLaughlin … Associate Producer
- Sonya Friedman … Production (Misc.), English Subtitles
- Ken Tabachnick … Production (Misc.), Lighting Designer
- Carl Toms … Production (Misc.), Set Designer, Costume Designer
- Kurt Browning … Director
- Alan Skog … Direction (Misc.), Associate Director
- Tito Capobianco … Director, For "Rigoletto"
- Gigi Elena … Direction (Misc.), Assistant Director, For "Rigoletto"
- Jessica Redel … Direction (Misc.), Ballet Mistress, For the New York City Opera Dancers
- Danny Abelson … Writer
- Giuseppe Verdi … Composer
- Francesco Maria Piave … Librettist
- Elio Boncompagni … Conductor
- John Pintavalle … Music (Misc. Credits), Concert Master, For the New York City Opera
- New York City Opera … Choir/Chorus
- Joseph Colaneri … Choral Director, For the New York City Opera Chorus
- Esperanza Galan … Choreographer
- Beverly Sills … Host
- Lloyd Moss … Announcer
- Mark S. Doss … Cast, Sparafucile
- Brent Ellis … Cast, Rigoletto
- Faith Esham … Cast, Gilda
- William Ledbetter … Cast, Count Ceprano
- Richard Leech … Cast, Duke of Mantua
- Susanne Marsee … Cast, Maddalena