The stage director has moved the opera to a luxurious yacht, sailing on the river near the city of Mantua. Its owner is a rich businessman and one of the city’s leaders. His guests are wealthy businessmen and politicians hungry for a good time, who want to gain his favour. Also amongst them is a mercenary killer who offers his services to the highest bidder. Rigoletto, the buffoon hired to entertain the guests is on board together with his cherished daughter, whom he tries at all cost to protect from those seeking fun and who have set their eyes on her. A heart-rending story of love, curse and vengeance, a devoted father and a young and innocent daughter who sacrifices herself in the name of love. This production of “Rigoletto” in Jerusalem symbolically marked the 100th anniversary of the first rendition of this opera in Israel and Jerusalem, which took place in 1919 in the historic and mythological “Zion” movie theatre in Jerusalem.

Musical Director and Conductor – Omer Arieli

Stage Director – Gabriele Ribis
Rigoletto – Domenico Balzani, baritone
The Duke – Matteo Falcier, tenor
Gilda – Veronica Brook, soprano
Sparafucile, the mercenary killer – Denis Sedov, bass
Maddalena – Aleksandra Kovalevich, mezzo soprano
The Count of Monterone – Yuri Kissin, bass-baritone

Marullo – Shmuel Berlad, baritone
Giovanna – Iphigenie Worbes, mezzo soprano
Borsa – Ron Silberstein, tenor
The Count of Ceprano – Netanel Zalevski, bass baritone
The Countess of Ceprano – Esther Allaeva Kopel, soprano
Paggio – Inbal Brill, soprano
Usciere – Tareq Wahba
Actresses – Michelle Adam, Mor Kamer

The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Omer Arieli

The Gary Bertini Israeli Choir
Choir Master: Ronen Borshevsky
Assistant Choir Master: Inbal Brill
Stage Designer:  Enzo Iorio
Lighting Designer: Nadav Barnea
Costumes Designer: Shira Wise
Producer: Slava Kozodoi
Assistant Producer and Stage Manager: Sigal Chameides
Assistant Stage Director: Carmel Yedid-Leibowitz
Still Photography: Elad Zagman
Video Production: Udi Alfasi, Tranquilo Productions
PR photography: Ilan Spira