The Greek National Opera concludes the 2024/25 season with Giuseppe Verdi’s dark masterpiece Rigoletto, which will be presented on 27, 29, 30, and 31 July 2025 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, conducted by Derrick Inouye. The production features stage direction by Katerina Evangelatos, with a revival led by Ion Kesoulis. Tickets will be available for purchase starting on 20 June 2025 at 12.00 on more.com, and at the Box Offices of the GNO and the Athens Epidaurus Festival.
In Rigoletto –one of the most popular operas in the repertoire– 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 talks about the love of Gilda, the daughter of the hunchback jester of the court, 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.
In this production, which first premiered in the summer of 2022 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Katerina Evangelatos relocated the storyline to the decadent Italian countryside of the 1980s, within a superstitious society that deeply undermines women. The set was designed by Eva Manidaki, with costumes created by Alan Hranitelj. Patricia Apergi is responsible for choreography and movement, while Eleftheria Deko handled the lighting design. Ion Kesoulis has revived the stage direction, while Ilias Hatzigeorgiou has brought the choreography and movement back to life.
The GNO Orchestra will be led by the internationally acclaimed conductor Derrick Inouye.
The performance is recommended for ages 12 and over.