Verdi: Rigoletto (Bjorling, R. Peters, Merrill) (1956)

Featuring

Andrea Mineo
Anna Maria Rota
Arturo La Porta
Giorgio Tozzi
Jonel Perlea
Jussi Björling

Leonardo Monreale
Lidia Grandi
Robert Merrill
Roberta Peters
Santa Chissari
Silvana Celli
Tommaso Frascati
Vittorio Tatozzi
Vincenzo Bellezza
Franco Calabrese
Coro del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
Orchestra del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
Giuseppe Verdi
Gioachino Rossini

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Verdi himself described "Rigoletto" as a revolutionary work, noting its dramatic coverage of evolving passion, black humor, and a bizarre quality.

Recording & Production

The recording sessions for "Rigoletto" in Rome were spread over fourteen days in June, and the producer, Richard Mohr, had previously supervised an earlier version of the opera in New York.

Composition History

Verdi's interest in Victor Hugo's play "Le roi s'amuse" (which inspired "Rigoletto") dates back to 1849, and he considered its central character, Triboulet, worthy of Shakespeare.

Composition History

The Austrian censors initially rejected Verdi's concept for "Rigoletto," deeming it immoral and obscene due to its plot involving a profligate king.

Recording & Production

This 1956 recording of "Rigoletto" was made in Rome due to the escalating costs of recording in New York, utilizing the Rome Opera House as a base.

Composition History

Verdi composed the opera "Rigoletto" in a concentrated period of forty days.

Critical Reception

At its 1851 premiere in Venice, "Rigoletto" was an immediate success with the public and was also well-received in Paris and London, even gaining approval from Victor Hugo, whose play inspired it.