Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House.
Conductor Edward Downes

Paolo Gavanelli, Marcelo Alvarez, Peter Auty, Graeme Broadbent, Dervla Ramsay

NOMINATED FOR GRAMOPHONE
DVD AWARD 2002

Verdi's drama of revenge, in its stunning new production by David McVicar, is filled with some of the composer's most celebrated music. Sir Edward Downes conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House with a cast which includes Paolo Gavanelli, Marcelo Alvarez, and Christine Schäfer. Contains nudity.

Region Code: All regions
Picture format: 16:9 anamorphic
Running time: 169 mins
Menu languages: GB
Subtitle languages: GB/F/D/NL/ES (GB NTSC)
Sound format: Dolby Digital, 5.1 surround
Cat. No.: OA 0829 D (PAL) OA 0830 D (NTSC)

PLUS
BBC documentary - 'Verdi through the looking glass'

Illustrated synopsis of the opera

Director David McVicar talks about his production of Rigoletto

REVIEWS
'Bold and sensational…' Top 50 DVDs 2002 Gramophone

'David McVicar, who has as much nerve as he has talent, takes this sordid tragedy and offers us the pleasure of rediscovering the great powers of opera...'
Diapason (Translation)

'a remarkable Rigoletto...a DVD that has to be in your collection.'
Intl Record Review

'David McVicar's engrossing and perceptive production of Rigoletto at Covent Garden caused something of a stir because of the frank licentiousness of the opening scene, including sex of all varieties. It is a bold and sensational beginning to the staging depicting the Duke of Mantua as a libidinous and strident ruler of his ill-disciplined domain. At its centre is the arresting portrayal of Rigoletto from Paulo Gavanelli. By comparison Christine Schäfer's Gilda is a trifle cool to start with but once ravished she comes to emotional life and is particularly moving in the final act.'
Gramophone