Opera can be an intimidating genre, though it's nothing more than the antique predecessor of our modern musical. No, we English speakers can't necessarily tell what the words are (unless there are subtitles) but one has to appreciate opera's universal appeal — it's beautiful, and the singers belt it out over the orchestra without microphones. Besides, lyrics to the average rock song can be just as tough to get.
One of the goals of the Education and Humanities Department at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is to expand patrons' knowledge of opera through their Opera-tunity programs. Participants gain insight into upcoming performances by variously learning an opera's history and synopsis, listening to excerpts and discussing aspects of the music.
Mary Diana, classical music director at WUSF-89.7 FM, leads the latest Opera-tunity titled Curses, Crises and Mistaken Identity: The Tragedy of Rigoletto at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 1. Diana plays excerpts of the opera and gives a detailed overview.
Giuseppe Verdi's dramatic opera is set in Renaissance Italy. Rigoletto, a hunchback court jester, tries to keep his innocent daughter from the clutches of the despicable Duke of Mantua. Rigoletto vows vengeance after the Duke ravages his daughter, but unexpected events lead to tragedy. The opera is based on the French play Le Roi S'amuse (The King Amuses Himself) by novelist Victor Hugo (Les Miserables).
Verdi's luscious melodies saturate the work, which includes famous songs such as La Donna e Mobile (Woman is Fickle) and the great quartet Bella Figlia dell' Amore (Fairest Daughter of the Graces).
Anton Coppola conducts Opera Tampa's performances of Rigoletto — directed by Matthew Lata and with The Florida Orchestra — April 5-7 at TBPAC. It's sung in Italian, but for those who can't bear not knowing the words, the production includes English super-title translations projected above the stage. Tickets cost $19.50-$56.50, but the Opera-tunity program includes a drawing for a pair of tickets, so attending might pay off in more way than one.
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is at 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-222-1000.
This article appears in Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2002.