Date: 18, 20, 22, 23 October 1993 Time: 7:30 PM Venue: Grand Theatre, HK Cultural Centre Music: Giuseppe Verdi Libretto: Francesco Piave Based on a play by Victor Hugo.
THE CAST Rigoletto: Ernesto Panariello, baritone The Duke: Warren Mok, tenor Gilda: Cecelia Wasson, soprano Sparafucile: Derek Anthony, bass Maddalena: Blythe Merrifield (18/22 Oct), Ping Wai-ling (20/23 Oct), mezzo-soprano Monterone: James Butler, bass Ceprano: Michael Rippon, bass-baritone Borsa: Wong Chi-chuen (18/22 Oct), David Quah (20/23 Oct), tenor Marullo: Silvester Che, baritone Giovanna: Cinde Lee, mezzo-soprano Page: Fanny Ho, treble Usher: Colin Lau, baritone
The Hong Kong Opera Society Chorus, Chorusmaster: Raymond Fu The Hong Kong Ballet, Choreographer: Bruce Steivel The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor: Paul Nadler Repetiteurs: Anna Chan, Choi Sown-le Scene Designer: Herbert Janse Costume Designer: Lorraine Naylor, Law Ping Lighting Designer: Kim Lee Technician Director: Ruth Catlin Director: Tim Coleman Producer: Lo King-man
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Act I Scene 1: Ah the palace where a party is taking place, the Duke of Mantua, a libertine notorious for his dissolute way of life, tells a lackey about a girl he is planning to seduce. The court jester Rigoletto encourages the Duke's corrupt existence in order to retain his master's favour. The courtiers hate him for his malicious insults, and are waiting for a chance to wreak vengeance. In the meantime, Rigoletto taunts Count Ceprano, whose wife is being molested by the Duke. Old baron Monterone suddenly appears to interrupt the party, denouncing the Duke for dishonouring his daughter. The Duke allows Rigoletto to mock the old nobleman, who curses them both. The curse strikes terror in Rigoletto, for he too, unknown to the court, has a daughter. Scene 2: On the way home, Rigoletto is still deeply troubled by Monterone's curse. He is accosted by a professional killer, Sparafucile, who offers his services. Having no immediate target, Rigoletto dismisses Sparafucile, and alone broods on his own misery. His daughter Gilda greet him as he arrives home, and they express deep mutual love and care. As soon as Rigoletto leaves, the Duke enters in disguise. His sweet words intoxicate Gilda who falls helplessly in love with him. Noises are heard, and the Duke departs after a passionate farewell. For their revenge on Rigoletto, the courtiers have come to abduct Gilda, believing that she is his mistress. They fool him into thinking that the Countess Ceprano is their target. He realises too late that his own daughter has been taken off. In anguish, he remembers Monterone's curse.
Act II The Duke, having gone back to Rigoletto's house later that night and found it empty, is now in his palace feeling dejected. The courtiers tell him about Gilda's abduction, and the Duke hurries off to enjoy his new prey. Rigoletto arrives, pretending indifference while searching desperately for his daughter. The courtiers take silent revenge for the injustices the jester has always done them. Their cruel mockery reduces him to abject pleading. Gilda rushes in to confess her disgrace. In a terrible rage, Rigoletto vows vengeance on the Duke.
Act III Outside the dilapidated inn kept by Sparafucile, Rigoletto has brought Gilda to witness the true character of the Duke whom she still love. Sparafucile, hired by Rigoletto to murder the Duke, uses his sister Maddalena to lure the victim to the inn. Here, Gilda sees the libertine Duke's shameless behaviour. Thinking that she is now convinced of the Duke's worthlessness, Rigoletto sends her home to disguise herself as a man and prepare to leave the city. Gilda obeys only half of his instructions. She puts on the disguise but returns to hear Maddalena persuade her brother not to kill the Duke if anyone should come to be the unfortunate substitute. She decides to sacrifice herself for him. At the height of a storm, she goes into the inn. Rigoletto returns at midnight to collect his victim. As he gloats over the wrapped body, the Duke's voice is heard. Horrified, Rigoletto tears open the sack to find his own daughter, dying. Monterone's curse has been fulfilled.
THE HONG KONG OPERA SOCIETY CHORUS
The Hong Kong Opera Society Chorus was founded by a group of dedicated and enthusiastic singers. They come from all walks of life and share the common interest in promoting western opera and musical theatre to the general public. They first performed in the 1992 production of Verdi?s Otello under the supervision of chorusmaster and chairman Raymond Fu. They aspire to attain the highest standards of performance comparable with the best western choruses around the world.
Chorusmaster: Raymond Fu Pianist: Fung Yuen-hong, Ivy Lo TENOR Andrew Carverhill Cheung Chun-wa Neil Drave Ho Man-cho Kenny Lui Ng Chee-sing Suen Chung-yin Tsang Hin-fai Tse Shu-chee Wong Chi-chuen Wong Chi-lok Raymond Yeung Yip Ling-fung
BASS Cheng Hoi-chung Eddy Jang Edmund Kwan Lam Ho-chi Colin Lau Law Ching-kwok Leung Yiu-ming Li Ho-man Nick Mainprice Mang Hoi-pui Eric Tang Bernard Whaley Wong Siu-man Rolief Yam
LADIES OF THE COURT Wini Chiu Ho Ming-chong Lee King-yee Leung Po-pui Leung Shuk-han Yeung Shuet-kwan
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