Francesco Demuro sings the Duke of Mantua in Seattle Opera’s “Rigoletto.” In his second-act aria, “Parmi veder le lagrime,” this rich playboy laments the sudden disappearance of his beloved Gilda—perhaps the first woman, he says, to inspire true love in him. Riccardo Frizza conducts the orchestra of Seattle Opera.
Elise Bakketun, photo

RIGOLETTO: FRANCESCO DEMURO as the Duke of Mantua

Liparit Avetisyan (Duke of Mantua) and Madison Leonard (Gilda) sing a moment from their love duet, “È il sol dell’anima.” “Make me the envy of all men,” pleads the mysterious stranger who has managed to enter Gilda’s home...just as he so often has in her fantasy. Carlo Montanaro conducts the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Photo by Philip Newton.

RIGOLETTO Love Duet

In the famous “Rigoletto” quartet the voices of Liparit Avetisyan (the Duke), Emily Fons (Maddalena), Madison Leonard (Gilda), and Lester Lynch (Rigoletto) come together in one of opera’s greatest ensembles. The Duke woos Maddalena, who laughs at him; unseen by them, his ex-lover, Gilda, wails and her father, Rigoletto, mutters words of vengeance. Carlo Montanaro conducts the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Photo by Sunny Martini.
Elise Bakketun, photo

RIGOLETTO Quartet

In Act 2 of Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Consul,” the magician Nika Magadoff (Alex Mansoori) hypnotizes everyone in the consulate and makes them dance: 
Oh, what a lovely ballroom this is...
the floor shines with precious marble.
Look how the light falls bright and clear 
from twenty crystal chandeliers.
Look at the crimson walls, hung with golden mirrors. 
Ah, listen:  the music has begun.
Ah! How you'd love to dance with your loved one...
But where is he? But where is she?
There, there he is!  He's bowing to you.
Look, there she is...bow to her.
What are you waiting for?
The floor is empty, the music sweet...
the dance is on.
Carlo Montanaro conducts the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Elise Bakketun, photo
Seattle Opera, The Consul, Menotti, Carlo Montanaro, Alex Mansoori


THE CONSUL: ALEX MANSOORI as Nika Magadoff

In Act Two of Gilbert & Sullivan’s THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE the pirates plan to storm Major-General Stanley’s house in the middle of the night, unaware that a crowd of policemen, relentlessly imitating trumpets to embolden themselves, are waiting to ambush and arrest them. After failing to be as quiet as they claim, the pirates sing one of Sullivan’s most beloved tunes—actually, Sullivan’s copyright piracy of Verdi’s “Anvil Chorus” from IL TROVATORE. Francesco Milioto conducted the chorus & orchestra of The Atlanta Opera in Atlanta in 2021. Music provided by The Atlanta Opera Film Studio.

PIRATES: With cat-like tread,
Upon our prey we steal; 
In silence dread,
Our cautious way we feel.
No sound at all,
We never speak a word, 
A fly’s foot-fall
Would be distinctly heard.
POLICE: (Tarantara, tarantara!)
PIRATES: So stealthily the pirate creeps,
While all the household soundly sleeps. 
Come, friends, who plough the sea,
Truce to navigation; 
Take another station;
Let’s vary piracee 
With a little burglaree!

PIRATES: “With cat-like tread”

Join me as I sit down with Emily Cabiness, librarian and archivist for the Seattle Opera. We discuss the art of opera, through both process and product. How does it stay relevant in contemporary life? What kind of collaborative work does it take to put on a production? What does a librarian do for an opera company? How does music help us express the otherwise ineffable? 

A funny, engaging, and emotional chat with a good friend of the show.

(Disclaimer: Emily participated in this discussion outside of her official duties with the Seattle Opera. As such, all of her opinions are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Seattle Opera or any affiliated staff or artists!)

For more information about the Seattle Opera, including upcoming shows and events, visit https://www.seattleopera.org/ 

For those interested in listening to Emily’s scene selections further, please see the recorded versions below:

Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro - “Pace Pace Mio Dolce Tesoro” - https://open.spotify.com/track/3EQrqvdRO7VMWSPKSlCdSe

Wager’s The Valkyrie - “War Es So Schmählich”
https://open.spotify.com/track/68CZHU1J4F89quxGwQOQGn

All clips and music used under Creative Commons and Fair Use policies.

Ping: Opera With Emily

Francesco Demuro sang Rodolfo in Seattle Opera’s 2013 “La Bohème.” Here he confesses to Marcello that his poverty is what is killing his beloved but frail Mimì. Michael Todd Simpson is Marcello and Elizabeth Caballero Mimì. Carlo Montanaro conducts the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Photo by Elise Bakketun.

LA BOHÈME: Rodolfo's Despair

In the double-duet that concludes Act Three of “La Bohème,” Musetta (Norah Amsellem) and Marcello (Michael Todd Simpson) hiss and spit at each other while Rodolfo (Francesco Demuro) and Mimì (Elizabeth Caballero) tenderly bill and coo and fantasize about the bliss and beauty of love in springtime. Carlo Montanaro conducts the orchestra of Seattle Opera. Image from the famous EMI recording from 1956. 

Seattle Opera LA BOHÈME Quartet

Founded in 1963, Seattle Opera is a leading American opera company. The company presents the classics of the European repertoire as well as new works of American opera. Frequent productions of Wagner's RING, beginning in 1975, established the company's worldwide reputation. Seattle Opera usually presents five opera productions each year.

RIGOLETTO: FRANCESCO DEMURO as the Duke of Mantua

Seattle Opera

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